AI-driven smishing scams surge in Canada, experts warn
Smishing scams—text message frauds designed to steal personal information—are reportedly surging in Canada, with experts attributing the increase to artificial intelligence tools that craft convincing messages and scan data breaches for targets. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and Competition Bureau warned the public about the rising threat and advised precautions to avoid falling victim.
What happened
Smishing attempts—text message scams that trick targets into clicking links and providing personal information—are reportedly on the rise in Canada, according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. The Centre's spokesperson Jeff Horncastle attributed the increase in part to artificial intelligence tools that can craft convincing messages and scan data from security breaches to identify targets.
The Competition Bureau sent an alert about the tactic, noting that many people are seeing more suspicious text messages. Scammers are using AI writing tools to eliminate spelling mistakes and AI data scanning to incorporate personal details that bolster their hoaxes, making messages harder to distinguish from legitimate communications.
Reported impact
Though the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre received fewer fraud reports in the first six months of 2025, the Centre noted that this figure may be misleading because most people do not alert authorities to smishing incidents.
Index analysis
Smishing messages often purport to come from real organizations or businesses and urge immediate action regarding an alleged problem, such as an undeliverable package, a suspended bank account, or news of a tax refund. The use of AI has reduced a traditional indicator of fraud—spelling mistakes—making these messages more convincing.
Governance controls
The Competition Bureau advised against clicking on suspicious links and recommended forwarding suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) so cellular providers can address them.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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