Canadians experiencing ‘fraud fatigue’ after targeted scams

Fool me once, fool me twice

The majority (86%) of respondents believe it is getting harder to recognize scams and protect themselves; two-thirds are feeling tired of always having to be on the alert; and one-third admit to letting their guard down.

Scams are getting smarter, and according to recent poll results, people are taking notice. At the top of the list? Phishing and spear phishing.

If you’ve ever received a sketchy email or text that seems off, you’re not alone. Phishing refers to those broad, deceptive messages designed to trick you into clicking a link or giving up personal information. Spear phishing takes it a step further. These scams look even more convincing, often appearing to come from a trusted contact, like your bank or a coworker.

But that’s not all that has people worried. A staggering 76% of respondents say they’ve seen more scams specifically targeting seniors. And in a world where artificial intelligence is advancing quickly, deep fake AI scams are on the rise, too — 65% of people have noticed more of these high-tech scams impersonating trusted individuals or organizations, up from 56% last year.

As scams become more sophisticated, staying informed is more important than ever. Whether it’s an email that seems too good to be true or a voice on the phone that doesn’t quite sound right, a little extra caution can go a long way.

Unexpected vet bills don’t have to break the bank

Spot Pet Insurance offers coverage for treatment of accidents, illnesses, prescriptions drugs, emergency care and more.

Plus, their preventative care plan covers things like routine check-ups, microchip implantation, and vaccinations, if you want to give your pet the all-star treatment while you protect your bank account.

Get A Quote

What’s the best defence against scammers?

The vast majority of Canadians believe it's worth it to take steps to protect themselves against fraud. With scams, they recognize the need to question what they see and hear, with 91% of respondents believing the best defence against scams is staying aware and vigilant.

Moreover, 71% feel prevention measures must be extreme to be effective.

Respondents to the poll were asked what if any preventative measures they were already taking to avoid falling prey to the onslaught of scammers. Of those asked:

• 93% never share passwords, PINs, or login details with anyone
• 92% never respond to unsolicited texts, calls or emails
• 91% say "no" when pressured to respond to an urgent request or offer
• 84% always use more than one way to authenticate themselves where possible
• 71% no longer trust any form of communication, even if it seems to come from a trusted source

Survey methodology

RBC commissioned an online survey of 1,500 Canadian adults that are members of the Angus Reid Forum from January 17 to 22, weighted on age, gender, region and education according to the latest census data.