I was on YouTube the other day when this popped up in my feed. As a personal finance YouTuber, I thought, “Great, someone new!”
But within five seconds, I knew it was AI. And the more I watched, the more upset I got. So I dove down the rabbit hole of AI Finfluencers.
Today, I’ll show you how scammers are targeting people with fake videos and AI-generated content. And at the end, I’ll show you how to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Example One: First video about OAS and GIS
Canada’s 2025 Pension Plan: Key Changes to CPP, OAS, and GIS Benefits
The video is called “Canada’s 2025 Pension Plan: Key Changes to CPP, OAS, and GIS Benefits.”
It had about 200,000 views, which is huge for a Canadian personal finance video, which also means a LOT of people must have watched this.
At 1:48, they claim the CPP contribution rate will rise to 5.95% in 2025 from 5.7% in 2024. That’s wrong. The rate was already 5.95% in 2024, so there is no increase to that figure.
At 2:57, they say the Year’s Maximum Pensionable Earnings will go up to $68,500 from $66,600. This is inaccurate. The 2024 YMPE was already $68,500.
At 4:21, they talk about a further 5% OAS increase for low-income seniors over 75, presenting it as a confirmed policy. That isn’t officially legislated—it’s just a proposal.
The visuals and video are clearly AI-generated. You’ll see weird faces, distorted hands, and sometimes people with three arms.
If you look at the comments, you’ll see confused seniors asking if this information is real.
Check the like-to-dislike ratio—many of these videos hide dislikes so viewers can’t tell they’re being misled.
At 4:43, they claim the OAS clawback threshold will increase to $89,000. In reality, the 2024 threshold was about $90,997, so this figure is actually lower, not higher.
From 5:42 to 7:41, they describe big GIS changes, including a 4.5% benefit boost, higher exemptions, a graduated clawback, and individualized benefits for couples. Again, these are proposals, not confirmed 2025 changes. Presenting them as facts is misleading.
At 7:53, they say immigrants will need 10 years of residency instead of 5 to get partial OAS. This is false—the 10-year requirement has been in place for a long time.
At 8:22, they talk about a new flexible CPP withdrawal system starting in 2025. This too is only a proposal, not an implemented policy.
If you visit their channel, you’ll see it’s filled with the same AI voiceovers and fake pension updates designed to scare retirees.
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Why this will get much, much worse
They often use attractive, trustworthy-looking AI avatars and voices that feel professional. Research shows we’re much more likely to trust someone just because they’re attractive—perceiving them as notably more trustworthy, competent, and credible. That’s probably why you’re inclined to trust me… right?
But behind the slick presentation, the content is sloppy or outright false.
“These videos are like sirens—beautiful voices calling you in, only to wreck your finances on the rocks.”
They prey on seniors’ fear of losing income or missing out on benefits they’ve earned. The tone is always urgent, pushing the idea that you have to act quickly or you’ll lose money.
What makes it worse is how they mix real information with fake numbers. Some of the facts are correct, so it’s harder to tell when they’re lying.
More advanced scams use AI voices or even deepfake videos to impersonate officials. If someone trusts the channel, they could be tricked into handing over personal details or money.
I didn’t find any links to courses or sketchy websites in their descriptions this time, but I can easily see that happening. It’s exactly how many scams start—by building trust first.
And maybe these channels aren’t scammers, maybe they are just trying to collect Youtube ad revenue. But I can guarantee there will be scammers popping up in the future.
CRA scams are especially common. These channels could one day convince seniors they’re dealing with the government when it’s really just scammers.
It’s still in its infancy, but this kind of content is only going to get more convincing. Later, I’ll tell you how you can protect you and your loved ones from scams like tehse.
“By the way, this is exactly the kind of thing we help our clients figure out at Blueprint Financial. Whether it’s spotting scams, maximizing CPP and OAS, or planning tax-smart withdrawals, we’ve done hundreds of plans for Canadians just like you. If you’d like clear, expert guidance, book a free 15-minute discovery call. The link’s below. Just make sure you check my credentials first, and that I’m not AI, which i’ll show you how to do next!
Example Two: Second video about CPP, OAS, and GIS
This video is called “New 2025 Pension Rules: Service Canada Revamps CPP, OAS, and GIS Benefits.”
It has 269K of views, so a lot of people have probably seen it.
At 3:13, they claim you can get $8,814 per month in benefits. That’s completely false. No combination of CPP, OAS, and GIS adds up anywhere near that figure. Even the maximum CPP payment in 2024 was about $1,306 per month, and the video’s own claim of $1,533 is only the 2024 max.
At 4:34, they state that CPP benefits have been “adjusted by 2.7% for 2025.” This is misleading because the official adjustment rate is always announced much later, not years in advance.
At 6:09, they give OAS payment amounts for 2025 that are actually from early 2024, without clarifying they’re outdated.
At 6:41, they say the OAS clawback threshold will be $93,548 in 2025. Again, that’s the 2024 figure and will almost certainly be higher.
At 8:35, they list GIS maximum payments and income thresholds, but these are also pulled from 2024 data. Presenting them as 2025 numbers is misleading.
Throughout the video, the visuals are low-quality AI images. The faces look slightly distorted, and the text often doesn’t match what’s being said. But if you’re not familiar with AI-generated content, it can look official.
Take a look at the like-to-dislike ratio—if dislikes are hidden, that’s a red flag.
If you visit their channel, you’ll see it’s filled with the same type of videos: AI voiceovers, sensational headlines, and outdated or incorrect pension information designed to confuse and scare retirees.
What You Can Do to Protect Your Loved Ones
If you want to keep your loved ones safe, start by making sure any advice comes from a real person with real credentials.
If someone on YouTube is trying to sell you a course, a service, or asking for money, look them up first. Check their standing with trusted organizations like the CFP Board or the CFA Institute. I’m a CFP myself, and you can verify my credentials anytime. The same goes for insurance agents, accountants, and other professionals—never take their word for it. Look up their LInkedIn also, if it’s nonexistent or seems like there’s a bunch of followers from random countries, that’s a red flag also.
Before you send money or share personal details, always pause and think it through. Remember, your bank and the CRA will never call you out of nowhere demanding payments, gift cards, or personal information. If you ever get a call or an email claiming to be from your bank or the CRA, hang up immediately and call the official number listed on their website to confirm. Don’t trust unexpected links or phone numbers in messages.
If you know someone who’s retired or getting close to retirement, please share this video with them. Remind them to double-check any financial claims on Canada.ca or the official Service Canada website, or to talk things over with someone they trust. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
It’s also important to understand that scams overwhelmingly target older Canadians. Take the time to help your parents and grandparents learn about this rise in AI-driven fraud. A few minutes of education can prevent years of damage.
Final Thoughts
Personally, I’m fine with AI when it’s used for entertainment or visual effects. But when it comes to financial—or even health—advice, that’s a whole different story. Imagine a fake doctor giving out medical guidance on YouTube. It could get dystopian very quickly. Hopefully, YouTube and other platforms will build better guardrails around this technology.
Online scams are only getting more convincing, so knowing exactly who you can trust has never been more important. Staying informed is your best defense—it protects both your finances and your peace of mind.
If you’d like help cutting through the noise, explore our financial planning services to see how we can support you. And to stay one step ahead, sign up for our free financial newsletter for tips and updates straight to your inbox.
