How to spot an AI scam

There have been plenty of ways for scammers to infiltrate our lives as the rise of technology has advanced. Just as we think we’ve outsmarted them in one way, they pop up in another. Enter: Artificial Intelligence (AI) scams. 

Even as the scams evolve, one thing remains the same: The easiest way for a hacker to gain access to your bank account is by tricking you into sharing your personal information with them.

By understanding what new threats to look for and how to handle them, you give yourself the best protection against fraud—AI or otherwise.

Today’s scammers use sophisticated technology to create deceptive voices, videos, messages, and more. They’re more convincing than ever, but there are a few common ways they could show up in your world:

• Deepfake
  • AI can use large datasets of images, video and audio to replicate the voice and appearance of a familiar face. Software is then used to make the ‘person’ say and do things in the form of a video.
• Voice cloning
  • This is another form of generative AI that uses a small audio sample to replicates the tone and language of a real person. It’s used to convince someone they’re having a genuine phone conversation with that person. 
• Generative text phishing 
  • ChatGPT and other free generative AI tools can create bodies of text (like emails and social media posts) that impersonate the tone and coherence of legitimate messages. 
• Verification fraud 
  • AI can be used to subvert security checks like passwords, passkeys and biometrics to access our phones and banking apps. 
  • Fake videos and photographs of people who do not exist, yet appear to look like they have authority, are being generated with the use of AI. This ‘evidence’ is then used to pass identity and security check to access bank accounts, authorize transfers, and even create fake assets to secure loans.

As we all know by now, there are plenty of practices that can keep your data safe whether a scam is AI or not. Here are some initial steps you should always take when dealing with your personal information. 

Now, take these tips and apply them in the context of these new AI technologies, which open up a new frontier for especially convincing scams. While many of the same cautionary practices apply, a few nuances can help hone your eye for a fake likeness: 

• Look for signs of altered videos (Deepfake): 
  • Pay attention to faces. Shifts in skin tone or texture, strange or no blinking, and shadows around the eyes may accompany jerky or unrealistic movements. 
  • The environment may be off. Shadows, lighting, and reflections may not match the subject as they move. 
• Listen for signs of voice cloning: 
  • Deepfake voices often feature strange word choices, stilted language, and choppy sentences. 
  • AI can replicate tone of voice well, but not perfectly. Listen for a lack of emotion or robotic pitch. 
• Use common sense. 
  • Is the entity doing something totally out of character, like asking for your money or personal information? Or are they contacting you through a channel they don’t normally use? 
  • Context is key. Whether the person or business is famous or familiar, understanding how they normally behave can help you spot odd behavior that should raise alarm bells.

Some scammers try to get a detailed analysis of people’s voices for impersonation by engaging with them over the phone. 

• If you receive a spam or unknown call, do not answer. 
• If it’s an entity you recognize, don’t pick up right away. Instead, try calling back. Fake numbers likely won’t answer. 
• If it sounds like family but something feels off, use a codeword to make sure. You can establish this ahead of time, then ask for the codeword over the phone to confirm it’s really your loved one speaking. 

Never click a link in a text message or email without verifying that it’s from a legitimate source. As real is the message may seem, there’s an equal chance AI is behind it. 

Never pay or send money through a wire, gift card, payment app, or cryptocurrency unless you’ve verified who is asking for it. Scammers love these methods because they make it harder for you to get your money back. 

Never click on ads to download software.

Regardless of whether fraud is AI or not, much of the fallout remains the same. Take the same actions you would with any other instance of stolen money or identity: 

• Your safety comes first. 
  • If you feel threatened, contact the police immediately to provide a detailed account of who contacted you and what personal information they asked for. 
• Report fraud to your bank. 
  • If you’re concerned about fraud, call your local Community Bank branch or our Customer Care Center at 1-866-764-8638. 
• Report it to the FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/.
  • The FTC will use your report to investigate and bring cases against other frauds, scams, and bad business practices.
• If it’s a video on social media, flag the video by reporting it to the platform.

If you do fall victim to fraud, don’t feel embarrassed. As technology becomes more and more sophisticated, it’s easy to mistake AI for the real thing. The best thing to do is take immediate action by reporting to the proper authorities so they can help you.

AI Fuels New, Frighteningly Effective Scams, AARP 
4 AI scams to be aware of, MoneyWeek 
Scammers use AI to enhance their family emergency schemes, Federal Trade Commission 
Artificial Intelligence Scam Tips, NYC Consumer and Worker Protection