What happened
For Cyber Month 2026 the CAFC warned that criminals use AI to write natural-sounding messages, clone voices of people you know and create or alter images and video, and combine them with information found online to make approaches personal. Its point: spelling mistakes and poor-quality images can no longer be relied on as warning signs. (Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Sept. 28, 2026)
What it means for Canada
The CAFC now tells Canadians that well-written messages and realistic voices or videos are no proof of legitimacy. Any business process that verifies people by how they look or sound is weaker.
- Sectors
- Contact centres · Finance and payments · Small businesses
- Tools involved
- Phone and caller ID · Email and SMS · Video calls
Takeaways for Canadian businesses and individuals
- BusinessUpdate security-awareness training: drop 'look for typos' and teach verification through independently found contact details.
- BusinessNever accept passwords, PINs or one-time codes from inbound callers, and tell customers you will never ask for them.
- IndividualsDo not rely on caller ID; the CAFC notes it can be manipulated.
- IndividualsIf a family member asks for money from a new number or account, call them back on a number you already know.
- IndividualsReport fraud to local police and the CAFC: 1-888-495-8501 or the Report Cybercrime and Fraud website.
For the Canadian AI sector
Voice and video cloning puts pressure on any business that verifies identity by voice or video call, including AI voice agents in contact centres.
Written by AgentsNorth from the source below. General information, not legal or security advice.