Alberta RCMP Warns AI Voice Scams Targeting Officials, Canadians

Increasingly sophisticated AI-generated voice scams are targeting individuals by impersonating senior officials, public figures, and loved ones to steal money and personal information. These scams, known as "vishing," use AI voice cloning technology to create highly convincing calls and messages that pressure victims into urgent financial actions, often using spoofed caller IDs and urgent narratives. Authorities and experts advise vigilance, suggesting people verify suspicious calls by directly contacting the supposed caller and establishing unique "safe words" within families to confirm identities. A CNET survey highlights that 96% of Americans face scam calls, emails, or texts weekly, with many scams now exploiting AI to mimic voices of family members in distress. To combat this growing threat, cybersecurity innovators like the team behind LastingAsset have developed AI and cryptography-based verification solutions to authenticate callers and reduce impersonation fraud, which costs organizations billions annually. Public warnings from agencies like the Alberta RCMP and consumer advice emphasize the importance of skepticism and verification in response to these evolving AI-enabled scams.