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March 1, 2026

The message seems just real enough that you can’t simply ignore it.

It could be an alert about a pending refund or an unpaid expense. Sometimes it’s a frantic caller, claiming to be a relative who was just in an accident. Other times, it’s a job offer, a stranger expressing romantic interest, or even a free vacation.

March is Fraud Prevention Month, an important reminder for Canadians to stay vigilant as fraud and scam tactics continue to evolve. The digital landscape in 2026 is more complex than ever, and while criminals are constantly adapting their methods, Canadians are not facing this challenge alone. Protecting yourself starts with awareness and being cautious about unexpected calls and message, and it is reinforced by a broad network of protections working behind the scenes to help reduce risks.

While no system can stop every scam, Canada’s telecom providers, device manufacturers and operating system developers continue to invest in advanced technologies that help identify, filter, and flag suspicious calls and messages before they reach you. In this post, we look at some of these technologies.

How Telecom Providers Protect You

Telecom providers play an important role in helping protect Canadians from fraud and scams. Working both independently and in coordination with law enforcement, they use a range of network-level tools and technologies designed to detect, block, and reduce scam activity. Some of these tools and technologies include:

• Call Blocking: Universal Network-Level Call Blocking (UNLCB) is one tool telecom providers use to help protect Canadians against certain unwanted calls by blocking calls with blatantly false call display data. Calls with invalid numbers are automatically blocked, such as numbers like 000-000-0000 and others that don’t conform to international numbering plans.
• AI-Powered Network Filtering: Carriers use advanced, self-learning AI engines to analyze call and messaging patterns in real-time. By identifying suspicious patterns, such as large volumes of identical messages sent from a single source, these systems can flag, filter, and limit scam traffic as it emerges.
• Caller ID Authentication (STIR/SHAKEN): STIR/SHAKEN protocols help protect Canadians from spoofed calls by verifying the authenticity of caller ID information. These protocols use digital certificates to confirm that a call is coming from the displayed number and has not been altered in transit.
• Blocklisting: Blocklisting keeps messages from known scam numbers and email addresses from reaching consumers by automatically blocking or flagging them as suspicious. Block-listing helps reduce the volume of unwanted communications, complementing other security measures such as spam filters and call authentication protocols.

Telecom providers also have dedicated teams specializing in fraud prevention, detection, and rapid response to emerging threats. They work closely with law enforcement, regulators, and industry partners to stay ahead of evolving fraud tactics.

Smartphone Security Features

In addition to network-level protections, smartphone manufacturers have introduced a range of security features designed to help detect and reduce scam activity. Some of these tools are enabled by default, while others require users to turn them on in their device or app settings. It’s worth reviewing your settings to ensure you’re taking full advantage of the protections available to you:

• Live Call Screening: Some phones can answer unknown callers and show you a live transcript of their response. (Available on iPhone 11 or newer / Pixel 6 or newer)
• Intelligent Scam Detection: If you have activated it on your phone, built-in AI can listen for potential scam language during calls (like requests for gift cards) and warn you with an on-screen alert. (Available on Pixel 9 or newer, except Pixel 9a)
• Filter Unknown Senders: To avoid potential scam texts, you can set your messaging app to filter unknown senders into a separate folder without sending you a notification. (Available on most iPhone and Android devices released since 2021)
• Advanced Protection Mode: For an extra layer of defense, modern devices offer an option to “harden” your phone to protect against potential attacks (“Lockdown Mode” for iPhones and “Advanced Protection Mode” for Android devices). This setting limits certain features and enforces strict security protocols to reduce the risk of sophisticated malware gaining a foothold on your device. (Available on most iPhone and Android devices released since 2021)

Together, telecom providers and device manufacturers have built multiple layers of protection into both networks and smartphones to help reduce scam activity. By taking advantage of the tools available and staying informed, Canadians can further strengthen their protection in an increasingly digital world.

In a future post, we’ll discuss steps you can take to protect yourself and how to report suspected fraud. You can also explore our anti-fraud resources at canadatelecoms.ca/anti-fraud.