Your Canadian Senior Moment Weekend Roundup for December 20-28, 2025

Good morning and happy holidays!

As we head into the heart of the holiday season, this week brings both joyful celebrations and important reminders about staying safe and informed. Your CPP and OAS payments arrive early (Monday, December 22!), scammers are ramping up their holiday schemes, and most of us are settling in for a well-deserved break with family and friends.

🎭 Chuckles Corner

“December is the month when we all become financial wizards—watching our bank accounts perform miraculous disappearing acts while wrapping paper multiplies in the closet.”

💰 Senior News Spotlight: Your December Payment Arrives Monday

Important dates this week:

Monday, December 22 – Your CPP and OAS payments deposit early (ahead of the usual month-end schedule to avoid Christmas banking closures)

Current maximum amounts (October-December 2025):

OAS ages 65-74: Up to $740.09/month
OAS ages 75+: Up to $814.10/month
GIS (single seniors): Up to $1,105.43/month
CPP maximum: $1,433/month

Looking ahead: OAS benefits will increase by 0.3% for the January-March 2026 quarter (2.0% year-over-year increase to keep pace with inflation).

Ignore the rumours: There is NO “$2,400 bonus” or “double payment” happening. These are your regular monthly benefits arriving on their scheduled date. The “$2,400” figure some people mention is simply the combined total of OAS + GIS + CPP that some low-income seniors receive each month—not a special holiday bonus.

Payment confirmation: Check your bank account Monday evening or use My Service Canada Account online to verify your deposit.

🚨 Scam Alert: Holiday Season Schemes Targeting Seniors

Scammers don’t take Christmas off—they actually ramp up their activities when people are busy and distracted. Here’s what’s actively circulating this month:

1. Fake Investment Platforms

Fraudsters are calling seniors posing as financial institution representatives and directing them to professional-looking websites that mimic legitimate investment platforms. Victims believe they’re purchasing guaranteed investment products, only to discover the platforms are completely fake.

Red flags:

Unsolicited calls about “guaranteed returns”
Pressure to invest quickly before a “limited-time opportunity” expires
Requests to transfer money to “secure” accounts

2. Fake Taxi/Debit Card Swap Scam

Reported in mall parking lots across Ontario: Two people work together—one pretends to need help paying a taxi fare, the other poses as a taxi driver who “only accepts debit cards.” When victims tap or insert their card, it’s secretly swapped for another card from the same bank. A portable terminal captures the PIN, then fraudsters drain the account.

How to protect yourself:

Never hand your debit card to strangers
Don’t tap your card on any device held by someone you don’t know
If approached in a parking lot, politely decline and walk away

3. Bank Impersonation Scam

You receive a call, text, or email claiming there’s suspicious activity on your account. The “bank representative” instructs you to transfer money to a “secure account” or provide verification codes from your phone.

The truth:

Banks will NEVER ask you to move money to protect it
Banks will NEVER ask for passwords or verification codes over the phone
Banks will NEVER send couriers to your home to collect cards

If in doubt: Hang up and call your bank directly using the number on the back of your card.

4. Grandparent Scam (Updated for 2025)

The classic “emergency” call from someone claiming to be your grandchild has gotten more sophisticated. Scammers now use AI to clone voices, making the call sound eerily real. They also contact via Facebook, Instagram, or text instead of just phone calls.

Protect yourself:

Verify by calling your grandchild directly (use a number you already have, not one they provide)
Ask questions only the real person would know
Never send money via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency
Don’t believe urgent requests for bail money or travel emergencies without verification

Report fraud: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online at antifraudcentre.ca

🎄 This Week’s Events (December 20-28)

A Note About Holiday Week: Most organized community events pause during Christmas week while Canadians celebrate with family. Libraries, community centres, and senior centres are closed December 25-26 (Christmas and Boxing Day statutory holidays).

If you’re looking for connection this week:

Many churches offer Christmas Eve services (December 24) and Christmas Day services (December 25)
Check your local community centre website for any Boxing Day (December 26) events
Some municipalities host outdoor skating, winter walking groups, or drop-in activities December 27-28
Virtual events continue through the holidays—check your library’s website for online programming

Staying active during the quiet week:

Bundle up for daily walks (weather permitting)
Call a friend you haven’t talked to recently
Start that book you’ve been meaning to read
Work on a jigsaw puzzle or craft project
Write in a journal or work on your life story

January events resume: Most regular programming returns January 2-3, 2026.

✈️ Travel Deals of the Week

VIA Rail – Year-Round Senior Discount

Seniors 60+ save 10% on all VIA Rail tickets across Canada. Simply select “Senior (60+)” when booking online at viarail.ca.

Discount Tuesdays: VIA Rail offers additional 10-20% off select routes when booking on Tuesdays (capacity-controlled, book early).

CAA Members: Save up to 20% by entering your CAA membership number at checkout.

Holiday travel tip: If you’re visiting family this season, book return trips now before January price increases.

Warm Winter Escapes

Several tour operators are offering last-minute deals for January-February travel:

All-Inclusive Caribbean/Mexico:

7-day packages from Toronto/Montreal to Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico starting around $800-1,200 per person
Check itravel2000.com and Expedia for current deals

Senior Discovery Tours: CARP members get $100 off per person on any new tour bookings made by December 31, 2025. Over 100 guided tours worldwide for travelers 55+. Visit seniordiscoverytours.ca

Canadian Rockies Winter: Fresh Tracks Canada specializes in custom senior train tours with VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer, including accessibility accommodations. Check canadiantrainvacations.com for winter packages.

📅 Looking Ahead

New Year’s Week (Dec 29-Jan 4):

Most services return to normal hours December 27
New Year’s Day (January 1) is a statutory holiday—banks and government offices closed
Many retailers have Boxing Day/Week sales continuing through early January
Your January CPP/OAS payment: January 29, 2026

🎁 A Word from Us

This has been quite a year. We’ve shared 200+ articles with you, covered everything from scam protection to government benefits, explored friendships and health challenges, and learned together about maximizing retirement income.

As Marilyn and I celebrate Christmas in our own home, we’re grateful for this community we’re building together. Your comments, your stories, and your wisdom make this newsletter what it is.

Whatever you’re celebrating this season—or if you’re simply getting through a difficult time—know that you’re not alone. We’re here, and we’ll continue to be here in 2026.

Do you know of an event happening in your community in January? Hit reply and let us know! We love featuring local activities our readers can enjoy.

Wishing you a peaceful, safe, and joy-filled holiday season.

Warmly,
Bill & Marilyn Gould
Founders of Canadian Senior Moment