Many Canadians prefer using a credit card over cash or debit.
Credit cards offer rewards and are a useful tool to build your credit score. However, credit card fraud is still a large risk when using your credit card, especially at online shopping websites.
Here are the credit card fraud stats for 2021 – compiled by the Simple Rate research team.
General stats on credit card usage in Canada
75 million
Number of credit cards in circulation in Canada
89%
of Canadians who reported to have at least one credit card
2
Average number of credit cards carried by Canadians
$2,627
The average credit card debt in Canada
52%
of Canadians pay back their card in full every month
15%
of Canadians have a credit card spending limit under $2,000
44%
of Canadians have a credit card spending limit between $2,000 and $10,000
41%
of Canadians have a credit card spending limit over $10,000
Credit card fraud statistics in Canada
$800 million
The total financial loss from credit fraud in Canada
71%
Increase in the number of accounts who have reported at least one case of credit card fraud. This number is 2x higher than that of identity theft in Canada.
$300
The median amount stolen via credit card fraud
19%
of Canadians who were a target of credit card fraud were aware that they were a victim
39%
of Canadians surveyed have admitted to not using their credit card in certain cases because they were worried about their account being compromised
58%
of Canadians surveyed reported they cover their pinpad when entering their credit card pin at a merchant
86%
of people review their transactions every month
NOTES:
Average credit card debt in Canada is $2,627. 52% of Canadians pay back their card in full every month.
There are 75 million credit cards in circulation in Canada. The average Canadian carries two credit cards. 89% of Canadians have reported to have at least one credit card. 82% of people have reported that they choose their cards based on rewards offered.
Only 8% of Canadians surveyed claimed they didn’t know anything about the rewards programs their cards offered.
15% of Canadians have a credit card spending limit under $2,000. 44% have a credit card spending limit between $2,000 and $10,000. 41% have a credit card spending limit over $10,000.
According to The Canadian Bankers Association, the total financial loss from credit fraud is a staggering $800 million. Over the last decade, the number of accounts who have reported at least one case of credit card fraud has increased by 71%. This number constitutes 2x that of identity theft.
The median amount stolen via credit card debt was $300.
Shockingly, only 19% of Canadians who were a target of credit card fraud were aware that they were a victim. Of the surveyed Canadians, 39% have admitted to not using their credit card in certain cases because they were worried about their account being compromised.
Another interesting finding was that 58% of people surveyed reported they cover their pinpad when entering their credit card pin at a merchant. 86% of people review their transactions every month.
SOURCES: Government Of Canada, Statcan, Canadian Bankers Association, RBC, TD Plus, MBNA, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC and National Bank, Equifax, The Globe And Mail, CPA Canada