AI scams are on the rise. From voice cloning to deepfakes, here’s how to spot the warning signs and protect your money.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere at the moment. It can write essays, make artwork, and even create music. But while a lot of people are using it for good, scammers are also cashing in, and AI scams are on the rise.
In the past, dodgy messages and scam calls were often easy to spot because they were full of spelling mistakes, or the voice on the phone sounded robotic.
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AI has changed all that. It can create convincing fake voices, realistic videos, and messages that look professional. That makes it harder for even the most careful person to tell what’s real and what isn’t.
Here’s what you need to know.
Common types of AI scams
Voice cloning
AI can copy someone’s voice using just a short audio clip.
Scammers have used this trick to call parents pretending to be their child in trouble, or ring businesses pretending to be the boss asking for urgent payments.
That’s why we always suggest to use a family safeword.
Deepfake videos
Deepfakes are videos that use AI to swap faces or change what someone is saying.
Fraudsters have started sharing fake clips of celebrities and “finance experts” telling people to invest in scams. They look scarily real, and people are losing money.
AI-written phishing emails and texts
Dodgy texts and emails have been around for years, but with AI, they’re much harder to spot.
Messages look professional, written in perfect English, and often copy the exact style of your bank or delivery company.
Romance and friendship scams
Scammers using dating apps or social media now have AI tools that can chat endlessly without giving themselves away.
They’ll sound natural, reply quickly, and build trust before asking for money.
Job scams
AI tools make fake job ads look genuine.
They might even generate offer letters or contracts that look official, tricking people into paying for training, equipment, or handing over personal details.
Investment scams
AI can pump out thousands of slick-looking adverts, websites, and even chatbot “advisers” promoting fake investment schemes.
Some even use deepfake videos of well-known business figures to push the scam.
Fake customer service
Scammers are setting up convincing “support” chatbots.
They pop up when you search for a helpline, making you believe you’re talking to your bank, energy supplier, or broadband provider, when really you’re handing details to a fraudster.
Fake online shops
Fake online stores are popping up everywhere, copying real brands, or just pretending to be a long running local business. They either trick shoppers into paying for items that don’t exist or pretend to be a UK based business but are actually in China, shipping tat.
Prices look tempting, websites look real, but once you pay, your money’s gone.
Always check reviews, use trusted payment methods, and think twice before buying from a site you’ve never heard of.
Skint Dad’s take:
Scammers are always looking for the next way to get our hard-earned cash, and AI has given them a powerful new tool. But the basics haven’t changed: they rely on tricking us into acting quickly without thinking. Slow things down, check twice, and don’t be afraid to say no. Protecting your money is more important than being polite to a stranger on the phone or replying fast to a message.
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Red flags to watch out for
- A message or call that makes you feel panicked, rushed, or emotional.
- Someone asking for money or personal details out of the blue.
- Videos or voice notes that don’t quite feel right (the lips don’t match the words, or the background looks odd).
- Being asked to pay in gift cards, cryptocurrency, or bank transfers.
- Job ads that sound too good to be true or ask for payment upfront.
- Customer service that contacts you first, rather than you reaching out.
How to protect yourself
- Pause before you pay: if you get a surprise request for money – even from a friend or family member – double check by calling them back on their usual number.
- Be careful with what you share online: the more voice notes, videos, and personal details scammers can find, the easier it is for them to fake you.
- Use official channels: if you get a message from your bank, log into the official app or call the number on the back of your card, not the one in the text.
- Check investment offers: if it sounds too good to be true, it almost always is. Check the FCA’s warning list before putting money into anything.
- Google with care: search results and adverts can be fake. Always double check you’re on the real website before entering details.
- Slow down online chats: if someone seems too perfect or too quick to build trust, take a step back. AI tools are designed to keep you hooked.
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