The answer

Yes. Familiar voice, video appearance, writing style, email thread context, caller ID or transaction details should not be the only authentication for money, signing, access or identity instructions. Use a pre-agreed verification protocol: independently call a trusted number, confirm with the designated professional or trustee, compare complete documents and use a second channel or shared secret that is never disclosed in the suspicious exchange.

Calgary-specific context

The practical protection is process, not trying to visually detect every synthetic message.

What to do next

Pause the instruction and re-verify identity, authority, document version, payee and purpose outside the incoming channel.

Related guides

Identity, title, deposit, wire, listing, rental, signing, and incident-response guideCalgary Real Estate Fraud and Scam ProtectionA source-linked Calgary fraud-safety system for buyers, sellers, renters, landlords, homeowners, investors, families, and remote clients. Prevent or respond to impersonation, changed deposit or wire instructions, fake listings, rental deposits, title and mortgage fraud, straw-buyer pressure, identity theft, account compromise, remote-signing manipulation, unsafe access, foreclosure rescue and recovery scams through trusted verification, evidence preservation, rapid financial response, qualified legal advice, police and official reporting, credit protection, and transaction fallbacks.Decision playbookCalgary Real Estate Fraud Safety and Incident-Response PlaybookCalgary Real Estate Fraud Safety and Incident-Response Playbook for Calgary buyers, sellers, renters, landlords, homeowners, investors, families, seniors, remote clients, and transaction participants preventing or responding to identity, money, title, listing, access, signing, or recovery fraud: Choose prevent, stop, independently verify, freeze or recall funds, secure accounts and devices, notify trusted professionals, preserve evidence, report, obtain legal advice, monitor, revise the transaction, protect physical safety, or refuse further contact.Interactive toolCalgary Real Estate Fraud Safety and Incident PlannerSeparate prevention, suspicious contact, attempted fraud, completed payment, identity exposure, unauthorized title or credit activity, and immediate safety emergencies; then build the fastest trusted response without sharing secrets.

Verify before relying

Official sources for this topic

These sources explain the rules and records relevant to this topic. Check the current requirements for your property.

RECA deposit fraud warningCurrent regulator warning to independently verify unexpected or changed real estate deposit instructions through trusted channels.RECA ProCheckOfficial public lookup for the licensing status and authorization of Alberta real estate, mortgage, property-management, and condominium-management professionals.RECA consumer informationAlberta real estate consumer guidance.Canada fraud and scam protectionCurrent federal fraud, identity theft, online threat, real estate fraud, reporting, and financial-information protection hub.Canadian Anti-Fraud CentreOfficial national fraud and identity-theft intelligence, prevention, victim-response, and reporting hub.Alberta mortgage fraud and foreclosure scamsOfficial Alberta warning about foreclosure rescue schemes, title-transfer pressure, upfront fees, and mortgage fraud reporting.Alberta Special Investigations UnitOfficial Alberta registry and Land Titles fraud investigation mandate and contact pathway.Alberta Land Titles assurance claimsOfficial Alberta information about complex claims involving registered interests lost through registrar error or fraudulent Land Titles activity.Alberta land title overviewCurrent official Alberta explanation of title ownership and registered mortgages, caveats, liens, and other interests.FINTRAC real estate identity verificationCurrent real-estate-sector identity-verification triggers for clients and people or entities providing funds.FINTRAC identity and source-of-funds methodsCurrent federal identity methods and definitions distinguishing source of funds, source of wealth, and transfer origin.FCAC credit report fraud checksCurrent federal guidance for detecting identity fraud, correcting credit-report errors, fraud alerts, and monitoring.Calgary Police rental scam warningCalgary Police warning about fake rental listings, advance deposits, authority verification, property viewing, and reporting.Law Society of Alberta lawyer directoryOfficial Alberta directory for checking lawyer status and searching by location, practice area, language, and other criteria.

Check the current information at the linked source. Ask the appropriate professional how it applies to your property.

Important

This is general information, not legal advice. Speak with a qualified lawyer about your specific situation.