Risk Level: Medium
Scammers are using AI to write messages, create images and generate videos that can enhance their scams. These AI-powered twists might make detecting scams more difficult and increase how often you’re targeted.
7 types of AI scams:
1. Voice Cloning Scams (Some AI tools can take a short clip of someone speaking and then recreate, or clone, their voice. )
2. Deepfake Video Scams (Deepfake videos are AI-generated videos that might include completely fake people or simulated real people. Some of the videos can be very convincing, especially when they're combined with cloned voices. )
3. Deepfake Video Call Scams (Rather than using AI to generate and post deepfake videos, scammers might be able to use AI tools to create live deepfake videos that they can use for video calls.)
4. AI Images and Deepfake Scams (Scammers also might create AI-generated images to enhance their scams. They could use the images as part of an advertisement or post on social media and link to scam websites in the comments.)
5. AI-Generated Websites (A fake online store might offer a popular item at a deeply discounted rate, and have a limited-time sale that prompts you to quickly make a purchase. However, the scammers could steal your payment information and sell it or use it to make fraudulent purchases. )
6. AI-Enhanced Phishing Emails (With help from AI, scam generated emails have become much more convincing. The scammers also might use AI to personalize the message based on information they find about you online. )
7. AI-Generated Listings (For example, scammers might list an in-demand item for sale and then ask you to pay a deposit to hold the item. Or, the listing could direct you to a different website that they use to steal your payment information. )
Sometimes you'll figure out you fell for a scam immediately. You send the person money and then they stop responding. Or you place an order and immediately your mind clears and you realize it really was too good to be true. However, some scams can play out over time, and the scammer might not use the information they stole right away.
Be extra cautious.
Don't take any actions if you feel pressured.
Stop the exchange and reach out to the person or organization via trusted channels.
Phone a friend.
Don't click on links.
Use reversible payment methods.
Create a secret password or phrase.
Update your account security.