As Canadians hunt for post-Christmas bargains during Boxing Week, a less welcome seasonal trend is also on the rise: sophisticated scams powered by artificial intelligence. Officials are issuing urgent warnings to shoppers about these increasingly convincing digital deceptions designed to steal money and personal data.
The New Face of Fraud: How AI Fuels Scams
Gone are the days of easily spotted phishing emails filled with spelling errors. Today's fraudsters are leveraging AI tools to create highly personalized and believable cons. These can include deepfake audio or video calls impersonating family members in distress, AI-generated fake customer service chatbots on spoofed retail websites, and hyper-realistic text messages about missed deliveries or too-good-to-be-true deals.
The technology allows scammers to operate at scale with a frightening level of customization, making their pitches harder to distinguish from legitimate communications. The holiday season, with its flurry of online purchases, package tracking, and financial transactions, provides the perfect cover for these malicious activities.
Protecting Yourself During the Sales
Cybersecurity experts and consumer protection agencies advise heightened vigilance. Key recommendations include:
- Verify Directly: If you receive a suspicious call, text, or email about an order or account, do not use the contact information provided. Instead, go directly to the official website or app of the company in question.
- Scrutinize Digital Interactions: Be wary of any unsolicited communication requesting money, gift cards, or personal information. AI-generated voices can sound nearly identical to a loved one's.
- Use Secure Payment Methods: Stick to credit cards or secure payment services that offer fraud protection, and avoid direct wire transfers or cryptocurrency payments to unknown sellers.
- Strengthen Your Defenses: Enable multi-factor authentication on all important accounts and use strong, unique passwords.
A Persistent Threat Beyond the Holidays
While the warning is timed to the high-volume Boxing Week shopping period, authorities stress that AI-powered fraud is not a seasonal phenomenon. It represents a fundamental shift in the threat landscape that will persist year-round. Law enforcement and financial institutions are adapting their tactics, but consumer awareness remains the first and most critical line of defense.
The message from officials is clear: as the tools available to criminals become more advanced, Canadian shoppers must match that evolution with increased skepticism and proactive security habits to safeguard their holiday cheer and their hard-earned money.
