April Alert
Deepfake Scams
Deepfake scams use AI generated audio, video, or images to impersonate trusted individuals such as family, CEOs, or celebrities to steal money or information. The grandparents/family emergency scam, investment scam, and romance scam are all common deepfake examples to watch for.
How do I spot a deepfake?
- Visual glitches
Look for unnatural movements, jerky facial expressions, or lighting inconsistencies around the face.
- Audio anomalies
Voices may sound robotic, have weird pauses, or show poor synchronization with lip movements.
- Unusual urgency
Scammers will press you to act immediately, often demanding payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
Exercise caution when viewing videos that seem too good to be true or show public figures saying something out of character.
How can I protect myself?
- Check information sources
If a deal or celebrity endorsement seems too good to be true, check official websites to confirm it's validity.
- Be cautious with with unsolicited calls and messages
Scammers can make numbers look familiar, so be cautious of unexpected phone or video calls.
- Verify via a second method
If you receive a suspicious call or message from a known person, hang up and call them back on a trusted phone number.
- Slow down
Stop, pause, and verify is a request for money or data feels unusual.
- Limit social media content
Restrict who can see your photos or videos online to reduce the material scammers can use for voice or face cloning.
Fraud
Recognize it. Report it. Stop it.
If you suspect your account has been compromised, please report it to us immediately. This will allow us to take appropriate steps to help prevent fraud. Individuals impacted by fraud should also contact local police and file a report about the fraud.
In addition, impacted individuals should contact Canada’s credit reporting agencies – Equifax and TransUnion - and have a fraud alert put on their credit file. This could help prevent someone else from taking out a loan or credit card in your name.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre also has a website which lists the most recent scams, and is full of tips to identify, prevent, and report all types of fraud.