Deepfake Voice Scams Target Canadians

✍️By Debbie Balfour | WBN News | September 17, 2025 | Click HERE for your FREE Subscription to WBN News and/or to be a Contributor.

Imagine answering the phone and hearing your child’s panicked voice asking for money, or your bank advisor calmly giving new instructions for a transfer. It sounds real. It feels real. But it may be nothing more than Artificial Intelligence at work. Deepfake and voice cloning scams are on the rise in Canada, targeting unsuspecting families and investors with chilling effectiveness.

A New Breed of Fraud

AI voice-cloning technology can now replicate speech patterns and emotions from just a short audio clip found online. Criminals exploit this to impersonate loved ones, financial advisors, or even government officials. Known as “grandparent scams” when targeting seniors, these cons use urgency and fear to convince victims to send money fast, often before questioning authenticity.

Canadians Increasingly at Risk

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has issued warnings about the surge in deepfake voice scams. In June 2025, it noted that AI-powered fraud is spreading across provinces, with cases doubling in some regions. Families have reported losing tens of thousands of dollars after receiving calls that sounded exactly like their children or spouses.

Why This Works

Voice is deeply tied to trust. When a caller “sounds right,” people instinctively believe them. Fraudsters know this, and use AI to inject panic, urgency, and emotional manipulation into their schemes. Paired with spoofed phone numbers, the scams can be almost impossible to spot in the moment.

How to Protect Yourself

Create family safe words for emergencies, so impostors can’t pass as loved ones.
Pause before acting. Scammers thrive on urgency; always verify before sending money.
Call back on trusted numbers. Never rely on the incoming call alone.
Stay informed. Regularly check alerts from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

The Bigger Picture

As AI tools become cheaper and more powerful, these scams will only multiply. Protecting Canadians means combining personal vigilance with stronger industry safeguards and public education. If it can happen to your neighbor, it can happen to you.

Debbie Balfour | Real Estate Investing Success Coach + Podcast Host
📍 Website: www.DebbieBalfour.com
📧 Email: Debbie@DebbieBalfour.com
🔗 LinkedIn: Debbie Balfour
▶️ YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@DebbieBalfour

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TAGS: #AI Scams #Voice Cloning #Deepfake Fraud #Canadian Seniors #Cyber Security #Fraud Prevention #WBN AI Edition #WBN News Langley #WBN News Abbotsford #WBN News Okanagan #Debbie Balfour

Sources:

Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre – National alerts on voice-cloning scams
Financial and Consumer Services Commission of New Brunswick (FCNB) – Guides on AI and deepfake fraud prevention
RCMP Fraud Awareness Campaign – Education on phone and digital scams
Global News Canada – Reports of seniors losing money to AI-powered grandparent scams
Competition Bureau of Canada – Warnings on the rise of AI-driven fraud