You might be thinking, “That kind of thing doesn’t happen here.” We’re a small community. People look out for each other. That stuff happens only in big cities or only in the States. But I promise it’s happening right here in Victoria, we just saw it yesterday at our store in Sidney.
AI scams are evolving fast, and they’re targeting Canadians every single day.
The one getting the most attention right now is AI voice cloning. Scammers grab a few seconds of someone’s voice, from a Facebook video, a voicemail, even a quick phone call, and use AI to create a near-perfect copy.
Same tone, same accent, same way they breathe when they talk.
Then you get the call. It’s your grandchild, your son or daughter, your best friend, your banker, sounds exactly like them, and they’re in a panic. Arrested. In an accident. Needs money now. Please don’t tell anyone they say, they are embarrassed they say, and they need your help.
This happened to a Canadian woman named Marilyn. She got a call from someone pretending to be a police officer saying her grandson had been arrested for stealing a car. Then her “grandson” came on the line, he was panicked, crying, begging for $9,000.
The scammer even sent a taxi to take her to the bank. It was only the bank teller who got suspicious and stopped her in time.
That voice wasn’t her grandson. It was AI.
Please know:
We really aren’t trying to scare anyone, we share it because awareness is genuinely the best defence.
Here’s what the numbers look like:
• According to TELUS, 27% of Canadian consumers reported experiencing deepfake fraud calls in 2024, with average reported losses of $1,479 each.
• In Saskatoon, five seniors lost a combined $45,000. In Newfoundland, seniors were scammed out of $200,000. In Manitoba, a woman nearly sent money after a call cloned her own son’s voice.
• In March 2025, 25 Canadians were charged for running this operation out of call centres in Montreal , defrauding seniors across North America of $21 million.
• The Government of Canada confirms fraud is the #1 crime against older Canadians, with $638 million in reported losses in 2024 alone.
What You Can Do Right Now
Create a family code word.
Pick something random that only your family knows , nothing that could be found on social media. If anyone calls in an emergency or asking something of you that is out of character or anytime your gut instinct tells you something may be off, ask for the code word. No code word? Hang up and call them back on their real number.
A few more things worth doing:
• Slow down. AI lets scammers craft very convincing, personalized messages. Take your time and verify before you act on anything.
• Never wire money, buy gift cards, or send an e-transfer based on a phone call alone.
• Set your social media videos to private. Scammers harvest voice clips from public posts.
• Never allow ANYONE to have remote access to your computer, unless you know them personally and trust them. A stranger should never have access to your computer, ever.
• If something feels off, reach out to a trusted friend, family member, call or come see us, before you respond or take any action that is being asked of you. Even if it’s something as simple as opening a file or sharing information.
If It Happens to You, Report It
Reporting scams matters, it protects others in our community and makes it harder for scammers to keep going. Here’s where to go:
• Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC): antifraudcentre.ca or 1-888-495-8501
• Your bank or credit card company, call immediately if you’ve shared financial information.
• Local police , if it involves financial loss or identity theft.
We’re Here If You Have Questions
At Village Computers, we care about this community and our customers.
If you got a suspicious call or something pops up on your phone or computers and want to talk it through, we’re here.
If you think your phone or computer might have been compromised, bring it in.
If you just want to understand how all this works so you can explain it to someone you’re worried about, come see us! No appointment needed, no judgment.
Scammers are counting on people feeling alone and embarrassed, please don’t be, that’s what friends and neighbours are for.
Sources
Canadian Bankers Association — Spotting AI-Generated Scams
TELUS Wise — Who Is Really Calling? The Rise of AI Voice Cloning Scams
Alberta RCMP — Don’t Take the Bait: Spotting AI Scams Before They Spot You
CBC News — Manitoba woman targeted by AI phone scam
CBC News — Seniors targeted by AI voice scam in Saskatoon and Regina
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