what you need to know

Artificial intelligence (AI) has made its way into our everyday lives. We use it for everything from completing work tasks to planning holiday itineraries, often without thinking twice. However, the convenience of this automation also comes with risks, and the main one is from those who want to use it for malicious purposes, scams. AI has made it incredibly easy to produce scam content en masse, helping scammers target large numbers of people in a short time.

This is why it’s more important than ever to learn how to spot an AI scam and stay safe online. Here’s how.

Why AI scams are becoming more convincing

Traditional scams often gave themselves away through strange wording, spelling mistakes, or obviously doctored images. Generative AI can smooth over those warning signs.

A common way scammers use AI is to customise phishing messages using information about their targets, potentially making an unexpected email or message feel much more personal.

Voice cloning changes the game

Short recordings made available online could contain voice data that could help create a voice clone. This cloned voice could then be used to impersonate a family member facing an emergency or an authority figure asking for money.

Authorities warn that AI-generated voices can closely resemble those of people you know. That means recognising a person’s voice is no longer enough to confirm their identity.

The warning signs still matter

Although AI helps scammers create more convincing deceits, the underlying telltale signs are still noticeable. Because of this, be extra careful when a message:

• Creates urgency or fear.
• Requests passwords or verification codes.
• Asks for money through an unusual payment method.
• Pushes you onto another platform.
• Contains a suspicious link.
• Discourages you from verifying the story.

Unexpected contact and pressure to act quickly remain common characteristics of scams.

Deepfakes require a different approach

Don’t rely on visual clues alone

Deepfakes may show strange facial movements or unnatural speech, but these clues are becoming less reliable. Take the context into account. Is the request common? Is money or sensitive information involved? Even if the video seems real, it can deliver a fraudulent message.

Verify through another channel

If someone calls asking for money or personal information, hang up and dial the number you already have. Families can come up with a secret phrase to use in emergencies, and businesses can require sensitive requests to be verified over another channel.

Protecting yourself goes beyond spotting fakes

To stay safe against all online scams, make sure to set up basic security features like a unique password for every account you own, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and update the software on each device. Don’t follow random or unexpected login links but rather enter official apps and websites yourself.

If you need to connect to your accounts remotely or use public Wi-Fi, a VPN can also help protect your data in transit. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday approaching, it may be worth comparing the best Cyber Monday VPN deals.

Be careful about what you share publicly

Public accounts may provide scammers with names, job locations, travel plans, pictures, and other information to enable the success of AI scams. It is important to check your privacy settings and avoid giving away unnecessary information that makes personalised scams possible.

What to do if you suspect an AI scam

Do not respond immediately, even when the message appears urgent. Avoid clicking links, opening unexpected attachments, or sending money until you have independently confirmed who is contacting you.

If you entered a password on a suspicious page, change it promptly and update any other accounts where you reused it. Contact your bank or payment provider quickly if money or card information is involved.

Staying alert as AI evolves

The past several decades have brought technological advances that can be difficult to keep up with, and with AI, the pace has grown exponentially, and vigilance is more necessary than ever before.

Scammers have gained a powerful tool for manufacturing situations that look real, but the underlying pressure tactics and intent of a scam are still recognisable. So, when an unexpected email or pop-up appears, question its claims and proceed with caution.