- AI tools are enabling more realistic and frequent smishing attempts.
- Many Canadians are unaware they’ve been targeted, leading to underreporting.
- Experts urge vigilance and tech literacy to fight evolving fraud tactics.
Smishing scams—fraudulent SMS messages designed to steal personal information—are escalating in both frequency and sophistication due to advances in artificial intelligence.
Despite a reported decline in the number of smishing cases submitted to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, experts caution that these figures don’t reflect the full scope of the problem.
Text Trap: How AI Is Supercharging SMS Scams in Canada
What sets today’s smishing scams apart is the ability to customize messages based on leaked personal data, making them seem more authentic. AI systems can sift through massive data dumps for names, phone numbers, and even previous interactions, enabling fraudsters to tailor messages with alarming precision. This personalization significantly raises the odds that recipients will fall for the scam, especially when the message imitates real institutions like the Canada Revenue Agency or local banks.
In addition to AI-generated text, scammers often rely on phone number spoofing to further deceive targets. By manipulating caller ID displays, they can make a text appear to originate from a trusted contact or service. This tactic erodes public trust in digital communication, especially among vulnerable populations such as seniors or newcomers unfamiliar with Canadian institutions and protocols.
Public agencies are responding with educational campaigns and real-time scam alerts, but they face an uphill battle. The Competition Bureau emphasizes that public awareness is the strongest defense, advising people to delete suspicious messages, block the number, and report the scam to 7726 (SPAM). Still, the pace at which fraud tactics are evolving often outstrips public outreach efforts.
Technology itself may also offer part of the solution. Some telecom providers are integrating AI-driven spam filters into mobile networks to flag and intercept fraudulent messages before they reach users. However, experts caution that no filter is foolproof, reinforcing the need for ongoing digital literacy campaigns and a more proactive approach to fraud prevention at both the institutional and individual levels.
As AI continues to reshape the digital landscape, both fraudsters and fraud fighters are adapting in real time. Staying informed is no longer optional—it’s essential.
“The greatest weapon against fraud is awareness.” – Anonymous
