Scam in CanadaTheft
Car theft in Canada
How it works
Car theft is a notable property-crime concern in Montreal. No particular stealing method is described.
Warning signs
- Your car doors are unlocked when you leave the vehicle.
How to avoid it
- Lock the doors whenever you leave the car.
- Keep your valuables with you.
- Check that the car is locked before walking away.
If it happens to you
Go somewhere safe and report the theft to police. If it is a rental car, contact the rental company. Give police the registration details and the last known location.
- Move to a safe, staffed place. Do not chase a thief or confront someone who threatens you. Call 911 if there is immediate danger or someone is injured.
- Check what is missing or what you were charged. Freeze stolen payment cards and tell your card issuer about any payment you did not authorize.
- Save receipts, messages, booking details and screenshots. Write down the time, place and what happened while you remember it.
- Report theft, robbery or fraud to local police. Ask for a report number and keep a copy if one is available.
- Contact the relevant business, rental company or travel insurer. If your passport was stolen, contact your embassy or consulate.
- If your phone was stolen, use another device to lock it remotely and secure your important accounts. Do not follow its location to confront anyone.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- Redditr/montrealCar stolen while visiting here, need adviceA visitor from Boston reports having their car stolen while visiting Montreal and asks the community for advice.Read on Reddit
- News2023U.S. tourists say car stolen from Montreal hotel parking lot. Now they want answersBoston visitors reported their SUV stolen after leaving it with a Montreal hotel’s valet.Read on News
- News2025Bedford family's car stolen in Montreal amid rising number of vehicle thefts in CanadaA visiting New Hampshire family reported their locked SUV stolen overnight near their Montreal rental.Read on News
Questions
What is the car theft scam in Canada?
Car theft is a notable property-crime concern in Montreal. No particular stealing method is described.
How can I spot it early?
Your car doors are unlocked when you leave the vehicle.
How do I avoid car theft in Canada?
Lock the doors whenever you leave the car. Keep your valuables with you. Check that the car is locked before walking away.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Go somewhere safe and report the theft to police. If it is a rental car, contact the rental company. Give police the registration details and the last known location.
Where in Canada does this happen?
Across Montreal; no specific car-theft location is named It has been reported in Montreal.
How common is this scam in Canada?
Common. Canada is generally safe for visitors, and tourist scams are not described as widespread. The main concerns covered here are misleading souvenir claims, high souvenir prices, persistent requests for money, pickpocketing, car theft and occasional group robberies.
Are there similar scams in Canada?
Yes: pickpocketing in crowds, group robberies on public transit.
Who can I report it to?
Emergency services: call 911 for immediate danger, a robbery in progress, serious injury or another emergency. Local police: report theft, robbery or fraud once you are safe. Provide the location, time, a description of what happened and any evidence. Ask for a report number. Calgary Police Service: for a non-emergency police report or enquiry in Calgary, call 403-266-1234. SPVM — Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal: approach an officer for help or safety concerns in Montreal. Call 911 in an emergency. Transit staff: in Ottawa, use a station emergency call box for urgent help. On Montreal's Metro, use the emergency intercom in a car or an emergency phone booth on a platform. Card issuer or bank: use your banking app or a verified contact number to freeze missing cards and report payments you did not authorize. Shop or service provider: show your receipt and explain any misleading claim or incorrect charge. Ask for a correction or refund and keep the written reply. Embassy or consulate: if your passport is stolen, contact your country's embassy or consulate through its official contact details for replacement-document guidance. Travel insurer or rental company: report covered losses promptly and keep receipts and police-report details. Contact the rental company if a rental car is stolen.
What number do I call in an emergency in Canada?
Police, fire and ambulance emergencies: 911.
Reviewed by @snuck