Scam in CanadaShopping
Misleading claims about locally made souvenirs in Canada
How it works
Souvenirs and crafts are marketed as typically Quebecois, but the small print often says they were made in China. A local-looking design does not mean an item was made locally.
Warning signs
- The display stresses a Quebec identity, but the label names another country.
- The claim on the display is clearer than the information about who made the item.
How to avoid it
- Read the country-of-origin label before paying.
- Ask where the item was made and who made it.
- If you want locally made crafts, check the maker's details rather than relying on the design.
If it happens to you
Keep the receipt and any written claims about the item. Ask the shop for a refund if the item was misrepresented.
- 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.
- News2019Fake Indigenous art is a real problem in Vancouver storesAn investigation found apparent imitation Indigenous art in three quarters of the Vancouver souvenir shops examined, including products manufactured overseas.Read on News
- News2019Seeing replica totem poles in souvenir shops makes me winceAn Indigenous writer describes tourists purchasing imported souvenir replicas under the mistaken impression that they are Indigenous creations.Read on News
- WebInuit Tapiriit Kanatami2024Imitation art is everywhere - and it’s hurting the livelihoods of Inuit artists who make the real thingThe report describes tourists buying purported Inuit art in Canadian tourist shops, airports and hotels that is actually inauthentic and often imported.Read on Web
Questions
What is the misleading claims about locally made souvenirs scam in Canada?
Souvenirs and crafts are marketed as typically Quebecois, but the small print often says they were made in China. A local-looking design does not mean an item was made locally.
How can I spot it early?
The display stresses a Quebec identity, but the label names another country. The claim on the display is clearer than the information about who made the item.
How do I avoid misleading claims about locally made souvenirs in Canada?
Read the country-of-origin label before paying. Ask where the item was made and who made it. If you want locally made crafts, check the maker's details rather than relying on the design.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Keep the receipt and any written claims about the item. Ask the shop for a refund if the item was misrepresented.
Where in Canada does this happen?
Tourist shops in the Old Town, especially Basse-Ville It has been reported in Quebec City.
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: tourist-shop maple syrup markups.
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