Recently, a few clients asked me about YouTube videos they had watched that made some pretty alarming claims about financial markets. In every case, the videos turned out to be deepfakes: AI-generated content made to look and sound like well-known public figures.

It’s a good reminder that staying safe online is getting harder, and that a little extra caution goes a long way. To help our clients stay safe, there are a few simple habits that can help protect both your personal information and your finances.

1. Be selective about what you read and watch

There has been an explosion of investing content on social media. Some of it is thoughtful and well-researched. A lot of it isn’t.

A common theme in the worst content is urgency: “a crash is coming” or “you must act right now”. Extreme messages get clicks, and clicks drive revenue for social media platforms.

Our view is less dramatic: wealth is built by sticking to fundamentals and having the patience to ride out market corrections. This “old-fashioned” wisdom doesn’t get many clicks, but it works.

One simple fix is to ignore the feed altogether. Instead, consider following a small number of credible voices and going directly to their pages when you want to consume content. Or, you could setup notifications when new content is posted from these trusted sources.

2. Be Wary of Email Links

Phishing remains the most common way scammers gain access to your information. They can create websites that look identical to your bank or a government agency to steal your login credentials.

According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), Canadians lost over $544 million to fraud in 2025 alone, and phishing was the primary entry point (the actual losses are likely much higher as many victims fail to report).

The safest habit to adopt is to never click links in emails. Instead, type the website name directly into your browser, use Google Search to lookup websites or contact information, or bookmark the websites you use most.

3. Be cautious with unexpected calls and texts

Phone scams often rely on pressure and emotion. One well-known example is the “grandparent scam”, which preys on a person’s desire to help a family member in distress, such as a grandchild.

A couple of things to remember:

• Any call that creates stress or urgency could be attempted fraud
• A call that looks like it’s coming from a service provider, such as a bank, may not be real
• With today’s technology, it’s possible to spoof a loved one’s voice

If something ever feels off, just hang up. Then call back using a number you trust from your own records or the organization’s website. A professional will never get mad at you for following this basic safety procedure. A scammer will attempt to persuade you otherwise.

If you’re unsure or upset, reach out to a friend, family member or the police. Getting a second opinion can make all the difference to your personal safety.

4. Use a password manager and multi-factor authentication

Online security is more important than ever. To protect your data, you should store all credentials in a dedicated password manager and secure every login with multi-factor authentication (MFA), preferably via an authenticator app or SMS verification codes. Doing so creates an important second layer of defence. Most financial institutions insist on the MFA protocol for your protection, and theirs. QV has enabled MFA for our clients.

QV’s call back procedure

If you email us for funds we will call you back to verify the legitimacy of your request. We may even inquire about the intended use of funds. It might seem like an annoying and intrusive barrier between you and your money, but we’re doing it to protect us both from fraud.

The Role of a “Trusted Contact Person”

We ask all clients to designate a Trusted Contact Person. This is someone we may contact if we’re unable to reach you after multiple attempts, or if we have concerns about possible financial exploitation or a change in your decision-making capacity.

Please note that a Trusted Contact Person does not have authority over your accounts, nor do they receive details about your balances. They are simply a safety net for your protection.

The Value of In-Person Connection

We’ve reached a point where technology can mimic reality with alarming accuracy. While it is generally good to maintain a trusting nature, the rise of AI impersonations and financial scams means we must be cautious with our digital interactions.

In a world of digital bad actors, the best defense is a return to the analogue way of doing business: meeting in person. AI cannot replace that, yet.