Common Types of AI Scams
Some of the most common types of AI scams include voice, deepfake videos, and phishing scams.
AI Voice Scams
Like other impersonation scams, these fraudsters use voices generated by AI to impersonate loved ones, financial institutions, representatives from government agencies, and authority figures. These messages can sound incredibly realistic and could include information that is, or seems, accurate to encourage you to divulge other personal information or send money to the scammer directly.
Deepfake Scams
Deepfakes are AI-generated videos or images that can feature anyone from a celebrity to a close loved one asking for money, information, or for the viewer to take some other action that would benefit the scammer. These social engineering scams are created by using AI tools trained on an individual’s videos and audio recordings, making them difficult to spot.
AI-Powered Phishing Scams
Phishing is nothing new, but AI-powered phishing can give scammers the ability to create highly personalized messages at scale. Since AI can often smooth out the poor grammar or confusing syntax that used to be a dead giveaway for phishing messages, AI phishing scams are much more convincing and harder to spot.
How to Recognize the Signs of an AI Scam
While artificial intelligence scams are more difficult to spot than pre-AI scams, there are still some telltale signs to look for. First and foremost, be on the lookout for urgent or unusual requests for your information or money — scammers often try to put you under pressure to make quick decisions that could limit your judgement. Another sign to check is the quality of audio or video you are viewing. AI may be impressive, but bad audio or video quality can make the fake easier to spot. Using secure platforms like Signal or Telegram is always best, and it can help you spot scammers when they ask you to move conversations away from these to unencrypted email or SMS communications.
Tips to Protect Yourself from AI Scams
If you’re concerned about falling for an artificial intelligence scam, there are some simple and highly effective steps you can take. First, always verify the source of any requests through a trusted channel. The safest way to do that is to independently find contact information for the organization the person is contacting you on behalf of or checking with a family member or friend in the case of individual requests. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is another effective protection method, as it provides you an extra layer of security.
AI scams will continue to change and evolve with the advancement of technology, so one of the most important ways you can protect yourself is by staying informed with updates on emerging scams from trusted institutions like DCU.
What to Do If You Fall Victim to an AI Scam
There’s no shame in falling for one of these scams — they are quickly becoming sophisticated enough that they can be hard to spot. If you do discover that you’re the victim of an artificial intelligence scam, you should immediately contact your financial institution and then get in touch with local law enforcement and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Going forward, you should take steps to secure your accounts — such as changing passwords and setting up multi-factor authentication — and monitor for suspicious activity.
Whether you’ve been a victim of an AI scam or not, keeping up with the latest digital security resources is key to protecting yourself going forward. If you’re looking for a place to start, check out DCU’s articles covering all kinds of fraud and scam prevention. You can also become a member and rest easy knowing that we take scam protection, your data, and your money seriously.
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This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as legal, financial, investment or tax advice or indicate that a specific DCU product or service is right for you. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, you may wish to consult a financial professional.
