Nationwide, scams of all kinds are more dangerous and convincing than ever, with some scammers even hiding under the chaos of back to school season.

In Calgary, June 2025 saw over $6.5 million in losses due to fraud and scams, with 584 successful incidents reported to police.

Scammers have targeted victims with deceptive parking and speeding ticket texts, bank impersonation calls and high-risk investment schemes promising unrealistic returns, among others according to a Calgary Police Service.

“We’re also seeing scammers use AI to mimic voices and identities, making it more critical to be cautious about what we share online. The best way to protect yourself is to be cautious with unknown callers. If you don’t recognize the number, let it go to voicemail,” said CPS.

“Stay informed and talk to your bank, the Calgary Police Service, your family and friends. Being aware is your best defence.”

According to Larry Zelvin, Head of Financial Crimes Unit at BMO, Artificial Intelligence based scams are becoming more common and advanced than ever before.

“What AI has done is made it all that much harder to actually detect these fraudulent schemes. AI is really that good.”

Advancements in AI has made prevention and detection methods from even a year ago are no longer relevant, said Zelvin.

“The attackers have the advantage against those of us on the defence side, those of us who are consumers, we’re already behind,” he said.

“I worry about the pace of this, it’s only going to get worse and worse.”

Parents targeted by scams during back to school season

Zelvin said that during the end of summer and early fall, scamming becomes more common.

Children with internet access and parents looking for textbooks and supplies in the back to school craze are among the main targets.

“Bad actors will go anywhere where they think they can make money, this is what they do for a living. As we’re getting back to school, there are a few things that stand out. First, shopping, people looking for clothes, supplies and textbooks, particularly are a concern,” Zelvin said.

“All these things are expensive, so people are looking for the best price possible, fraudsters know that, they’ll create websites, potentially applications, that get really attractive kind of views, and then offer really good prices.”

In years past, an AI-generated advertisement was distinguishable because of how different the language use looked compared to everyday use by people, something that is no longer the case according to Zelvin.

“AI has made it so that it’s almost indistinguishable if they’re using AI. What I would say is, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. If these are deep, deep discounts, you may want to pause and take another look. Go out, research the company, see if they are reputable. See if other people have reported scams,” he said.

Scammers now impersonate parents, teachers and friends using deepfakes

With the emerging ease of creating AI-deep fakes, Zelvin said that he’s ran into scams who have copied the likeness of teachers, classmates and even parents.

“We’re seeing more and more of that, and unfortunately, there’s been a lot of circumstances of folks using it to create inappropriate photography or videos of folks, but you’re also seeing it as a way to generate a fear, to create a sense of urgency that someone is ill or in need, they need money,” he said.

Deep fakes, voice changers and identity theft have been common amongst video game related scams, according to Zelvin.

Scammers will develop a friendship and “play the long game” with unsuspecting victims online before asking for personal information or documents or money.

“Once their credibility is established they may create a perception of need or harm that says, ‘Hey, can you help me? Because we’re such close friends, could you send me this money?’ And then one thing leads to another, and you find out that you’ve given a lot of money to a fraudster and not somebody who you felt was a new friend,” he said.

Open conversations and online awareness are keys to prevention

Zelvin said that for parents, the most important tool for scam or theft prevention is conversation.

“I’m a father of three, I’ve got a daughter and two sons, and I’ve had these conversations. It’s just like saying don’t cross the road without looking both ways or if somebody says, ‘can you help me look for my puppy or my kid?’ you say no,” he said.

“We have to have those conversations about being online.”

Children and elderly people are the most susceptible for scams, according to Zelvin

“One of the ways you may know that you’re in trouble, unfortunately, is you’re going to find a lot of charges on your credit card, debit card, or however you pay. That may be a first indication.”

“Another indication could be that your youngster is all of a sudden has sudden changes in behaviour, their secrecy about their phone or device that they’re using, or all of a sudden, maybe they’re receiving money or asking for more money, or asking for money more frequently than they ever had.”

Zelvin said that being cautious when allowing children to purchase online items is step one for financial safety and staying away from scams.

Tools aside, the best defence against scams is awareness he said.

When encountering scams, it is important to report them to proper authorities.

Attempted scams can be reported to the Canadian Centre for Cybersecurity, while victims of fraud or scams are encouraged to report those losses to the Calgary Police Service.