Jul 1, 2026
Getting a phone call from a child asking for help is every parent’s nightmare. Now, advances in AI are making it easier for scammers to turn that fear into a convincing con.
Instead of relying on a stranger’s voice, criminals can now use AI tools to create calls that sound like a friend, child or family member in distress. The goal is often to create enough panic that victims act before they have time to stop and think.
When a familiar voice isn’t real
That’s what Brenda Brookins thought was happening when she answered a phone call one afternoon around the time her son normally gets off work. The voice on the other end sounded exactly like his.
Thanks for subscribing!
The best of Money.ca
delivered weekly
By signing up, you accept Money.ca Terms of Use, Subscription Agreement, and Privacy Policy.
“I picked up the phone, and I said, ‘Hello,’ and he’s like ‘Mom? Mom?’ And it was his voice!” Brookins told news station WSYR-TV.
“He said, ‘I just had a car accident.’ I said, ‘Are you OK?’ He said, ‘Mom, I need help!’.”
Advertisement
As the conversation continued, however, Brookins began to notice details that didn’t quite fit.
One of the first red flags was the word “mum” — a term she said her son never used. Then another person joined the call, claiming to be a police officer at the scene of the accident. But there was one more clue that something wasn’t adding up: the area code on the incoming number didn’t match where her son lived.
“I thought it could’ve been a police officer’s phone, but then when I sat and thought about it, the area code wasn’t right,” she said.
Brookins’ story is far from unique. While it occurred in America, it’s the same script being used against Canadians, too.
Stop leaving money on the table. Discover which Canadian banks are currently paying up to $700 just for opening a new account.
Must Read
- Warren Buffett used these 4 solid, repeatable money rules to turn $9,800 into a $150B fortune. Here’s how to apply them to your own life
- Stop the leak: 5 costs Canadians (still) overpay for every single month. How many are sabotaging your 2026 budget?
- Three in four Canadians say their insurance premiums have increased in the last two years. Compare 20+ quotes on Rates.ca and save up to 20% when you bundle home and auto
Join 19,000+ readers and get Money.ca’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.
The threat is real — and growing fast in Canada
AI voice-cloning scams use artificial intelligence to recreate a person’s voice, often from audio clips found online. Scammers can use the technology to make phone calls that sound remarkably similar to a friend, child or other loved one.
Advertisement
As AI technology becomes more accessible, these types of scams are becoming increasingly common in Canada. In 2024, Canadians reported losing nearly C$3 million to family-emergency and grandparent voice-cloning scams, according to figures from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC).
The pattern is disturbingly consistent: the caller claims to have been in an accident or arrested and needs money immediately. They instruct their target to tell no one.
According to a Hiya Q4 2024 Global Call Threat Report — a survey of more than 12,000 consumers across Canada, the U.S., UK, Germany, France and Spain — 27% of Canadian consumers reported experiencing deepfake fraud calls, with average reported losses totalling US$1,479. AI-generated deepfake fraud calls result in far greater financial damage: more victims reported losses exceeding US$6,000 than those affected by traditional phone scams.
Overall Canadian fraud losses are staggering. In 2024, the FCAC received 112,000 fraud reports involving over C$704 million in reported losses. The CAFC and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) note the actual total is likely much higher, estimating the data represents only 5% to 10% of actual fraud in Canada, as many victims never report.
Protecting yourself from AI scam calls
Brookins said she decided to share her experience in the hopes of helping others avoid falling for a similar scam. One of the biggest lessons she took away from the ordeal is the importance of having a family codeword.
Advertisement
“Set up a codeword with your family. Maybe don’t do it over the phone or through text because, if you are being monitored, they’re gonna catch that,” she said. “I was so scared, I almost cried because I thought he had been in a car accident.”
The CAFC also recommends taking a few simple steps if you receive a call from someone claiming to be a loved one in trouble:
- Pause before reacting — scammers often use fear and urgency to cloud your judgment.
- If a loved one supposedly needs help, hang up and contact them directly using a number you know and trust.
- Never share personal or financial information with unexpected callers.
- Be cautious of requests for payment through gift cards, wire transfers, e-transfers or cryptocurrency.
- If something feels off, check with a trusted friend or family member before taking any action.
“You might think, oh, it’s never gonna happen to me, it’s never gonna happen to me, but it was just scary,” Brookins said.
What Canadians can do now
If you think you’ve been targeted by an AI voice-cloning scam, here are the steps to take:
- Report it to the CAFC and the police. You can file a report at antifraudcentre.ca or by calling 1-888-495-8501, even if you weren’t a victim. Every report helps investigators identify patterns and stop fraud rings. Report the incident to your local police to create a file.
- Contact your financial institutions immediately. If money has already been transferred, fast action is critical. Financial institutions have fraud escalation teams who may be able to interrupt or freeze a transfer.
- Review the personal info you have posted online. Voice clones are typically built from audio found on social media — TikTok, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram videos. Consider making accounts private or limiting who can hear yours or a family member’s voice.
- Set up a family codeword. Choose a word or phrase that isn’t searchable or guessable, and share it in person. If a caller claims to be a loved one, ask for the codeword before taking any action.
- Know the red flags. Unusual area codes, unfamiliar turns of phrase, a request for secrecy, or demands for payment via gift card, e-transfer or cryptocurrency are all warning signs.
- Stay informed. The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) has issued video guidance on how to avoid AI-voice scams, while the Government of Canada maintains up-to-date fraud alerts at Canada.ca.
-With files from Melanie Huddart
You May Also Like
- This 7-step plan from Dave Ramsey is designed to help you ditch debt, save more and build wealth — here’s how it works
- Prioritize these 4 critical investments and watch your net worth skyrocket
- Focus on these 3 ‘magic numbers’ to become a millionaire — and only on these numbers. How do you stack up?
- Millionaires under 43 are reshaping investing — just 25% of their portfolios are in stocks. Here’s where their money is going
The most expensive financial mistakes are often the ones you don't see coming. Join 19,000+ Canadians who get the money moves, risks and opportunities shaping their finances — delivered free each week. Subscribe now.
Laura Grace Tarpley is a contributing reporter for Moneywise who has been covering personal finance and working in digital media for 10 years. Her expertise spans banking, investing, retirement, loans, mortgages, and taxes.
