Cyber Centre Warns Canadians of Sophisticated Smishing Attacks

Cyber Centre warns of sophisticated smishing activity targeting Canadians

The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (Cyber Centre), in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), is warning Canadians and businesses about sophisticated smishing attacks – phishing attempts delivered via text messages.

Cybercriminals are actively targeting mobile users across Canada. These fraudulent messages often appear to come from trusted organizations, such as banks, and may even show up in legitimate message threads, making them difficult to detect.

Why this matters now

Smishing attacks are becoming more sophisticated, using spoofed numbers and urgent language to trick victims into clicking malicious links or sharing sensitive information. Falling for these scams can lead to financial fraud, identity theft or malware infections.

To help Canadians protect themselves, the Cyber Centre has released new guidance on protecting against smishing that outlines what to look for and the steps to take if you receive a suspicious text. This resource is timely and essential for staying safe in today’s evolving cyber threat landscape.

Reporting smishing attacks

Stay vigilant and report suspicious messages to 7726 (SPAM). If you believe that you have fallen victim to a smishing attack and have shared sensitive information or suffered financial loss, report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and to your local police service.

Your reporting and cooperation will contribute to law enforcement efforts to investigate and disrupt cybercriminal activities impacting the safety and security of Canadians.

Further reading

• Smishing: Protect yourself from SMS attacks
• Don't take the bait: Recognize and avoid phishing attacks (ITSAP.00.101)
• Phish, vish, smish – how banks are helping Canadians spot digital fraud (Get Cyber Safe)
• Spot scams before they happen: what your bank will never ask (Canadian Bankers Association) Date modified:

2026-04-24