It feels like AI is everywhere today. And while it can be used as a helpful everyday tool, it unfortunately has also been seized on by those who want to scam you out of your hard-earned money. Artificial Intelligence has opened up new avenues for scammers. Here’s how to catch them in the act, and protect yourself from becoming a victim:
How AI tools get manipulated to spread fraud
Seeding fake numbers to appear on search engines: One method scammers are using to leverage AI for their scams is to publish fake customer support numbers. These are often posted to obscure blogs, formulas, or even some legitimate websites. The numbers then sit there, untouched, until the data is scraped to provide it in response to a user searching a query.
Exploiting AI summarization tools: Unlike search engines, which give a range of answers and links to a search, AI often gives a direct final answer in a summary. Since users no longer feel the need to click through various sources, there is less fact-checking and blind trust increases. This can lead to more users clicking on planted information.
Setting up chatbots with a scam agenda: In certain situations, a scammer may create their own AI-powered chat interface that masquerades as an official support tool. This requires a certain level of technical expertise, though, and is a less common tactic as a result.
Creating voice impersonations: Deepfake audio adds another dimension to the problem, as AI-generated voice calls have become quite convincing. An AI bot imitating a customer service rep, or even a loved one, can make phone-based scams harder than ever to detect.
Unlike other cybersecurity attacks, the scam doesn’t work because you were careless, but rather because a powerful technology was manipulated to feed you malicious information…
Educating yourself on the common signs of an AI-assisted scam can help you protect yourself and stop the scam before it takes hold:
- A person trying to push you to act immediately, whether that be paying right then and there, confirming something quickly, or claiming you will lose access to something instantly.
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Any type of request for unusual payment methods, such as a gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency, could be considered a sign of fraud.
Changes to famous logos or colors on a website, as scammers often mimic real logos in an attempt to earn your trust, but they may be slightly off.
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Inconsistent contact information (such as if the number surfaced by AI doesn’t match the website).
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A chatbot that seems overly eager to accept your payment information, especially if it’s doing so before your issue has actually been resolved.
Despite all of the publicity around AI scams, there is good news. Just a few proactive habits can help keep you better protected from scams and reduce your risk of falling victim to an AI-powered cyberattack. Consider some of the following general tips:
- Always verify information through official sources, such as going to a company’s official website.
- Only use the contact information listed on the company website, as this will be the verifiable information you can use to ensure you are contacting real people.
- Be skeptical of any payment requests that are sent your way, as customer service agents very rarely ask for payment data upfront.
- If a conversation was initiated away from a company’s verified channels, propose picking it back up through a company-approved medium.
If you are unsure whether a call you received came from customer service, hang up and call the company service number on the company website. Leverage built-in security tools through financial institutions. Report any scams you encounter to the FTC and notify the company that they are being impersonated so they can pursue the issue.
Read more about identifying fraud and protecting yourself here.
Fraud has become an issue we all need to be aware of. It can feel overwhelming at times to keep up with the latest developments, and to know who you can actually trust. But a little awareness goes a long way. You don’t have to become an expert in order to keep your money safe. You just need to understand how to recognize some basic, common red flags.