AI-GENERATED
IMPERSONATION FRAUD

MARCH 2026: 

The following is a summary of a news release dated March 9, 2026 from Competition Bureau Canada warning Canadians to watch out for AI-generated government impersonators. 

Please consider visiting their website at https://www.canada.ca/en/competition-bureau/news/2026/03/watch-out-for-ai-generated-government-impersonators.html where you can obtain full details on the increasing risk these fake videos pose and how we can protect ourselves.

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As we discussed at our January Share and Learn Session, scammers are now using new artificial intelligence technology to create very convincing fakes. They can make videos or voice recordings that look and sound exactly like real people, including government leaders or well-known officials. These "digital imitations" are used to trick people into giving away money, sharing private information, or clicking on links that can harm their computers. Often these fakes try to make you feel like there is an emergency or a special "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity to get you to act quickly.

The best way to stay safe is to take a moment to double-check who you are talking to. If you receive an unexpected call from a government office, it is perfectly okay to hang up and call that department back using a phone number found in the official blue pages or on a verified government website. When looking at websites, be wary of addresses that end in ".net" or ".info" instead of the official ".gov" or ".ca." If something feels suspicious, you can report it to Competition Bureau Canada or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to help keep others in the community safe.

Simple Habits for Staying Safe

• Trust Your Instincts: If a video or phone call from a public official seems unusual or asks for money, it is likely a scam.

• Verify the Source: Never use the contact information provided in a suspicious text or email. Always look up the official agency yourself.

• Slow Down: Scammers want you to rush. Taking ten minutes to think or talk to a friend can prevent a mistake.

• Protect Your Tech: Avoid clicking links in text messages from numbers you don't recognize, even if they claim to be from the government.