Protecting Yourself from AI-Powered Scams

In our ever-evolving digital world, criminals are constantly finding new ways to exploit technology for their financial gain. One alarming trend we've witnessed recently is the rise of AI-powered scams. These cunning criminals are using artificial intelligence to deceive individuals and steal their hard-earned money or even their identities. In this article, we'll delve into some examples of AI-driven scams and offer tips on how you can protect yourself and your loved ones.

The Rise of AI-Powered Scams

AI-powered scams encompass a wide range of tactics, from phishing emails that

mimic your contacts to chatbots that impersonate customer support representatives. Here are some examples:

1. Deepfake Voice Scams: Criminals use AI to mimic someone's voice and impersonate a trusted figure, such as a family member or a company executive. They might call and ask for money or sensitive information.
2. Social Engineering Bots: AI-driven bots can mimic human conversation and social engineering techniques. They engage victims in seemingly authentic conversations to extract personal information or login credentials.
3. Chatbot Impersonation: Some scammers use chatbots that appear to be from legitimate companies or financial institutions. These chatbots can lure victims into sharing sensitive data or clicking malicious links.
4. AI-Generated Phishing Emails: AI can craft convincing phishing emails that appear to be from trusted sources, such as banks or government agencies. These emails often contain links or attachments that, when opened, can compromise your security.

Statistics on AI Scams in the USA

While precise statistics on AI-related scams can be challenging to pin down due to underreporting, they are undoubtedly on the rise. In the past year, thousands of Americans have fallen victim to AI-powered scams, resulting in financial losses and personal information breaches. Cybersecurity experts have reported a significant increase in AI-based attacks, making it more important than ever to stay vigilant.

Protecting Yourself and Your Family

Now that we understand the gravity of AI-powered scams, let's explore how to protect ourselves:

1. Family Password: Knowledge is your first line of defense. Educate yourself and your family about common AI scams and their tactics. Consider creating a secret family PIN or verbal password. If your daughter calls and asks for her SS# because she forgot it, and something sounds off, ask for her PIN/PW. Make it something no one would guess like “Red Zebra”. Recently a mother was called by men saying they had her teenage daughter hostage demanding money. The girl’s voice was AI generated of her crying in the background. A password can quickly validate suspicion. Lucky the mom figured it out. Note- Consider having two family passwords. One that signals “It’s me for real” and the other signals “It’s me but I’m in trouble”. The second password can be used to fool a bad guy who is demanding you loved one relay the password to you over the phone.
2. Verify Identities: Always verify the identity of the person or entity you're dealing with, especially when sharing sensitive information or making financial transactions. Use two-factor authentication whenever possible and never give a chatbot or person over the phone your two-factor code. No legit company will ask for it. Don’t call the number back provided on a suspicious or out of the ordinary email. Example- Get an email about your credit card with a number to call about fraud right away. Instead call the number on your actual credit card to validate if the email is legit. Recently I got an email asking me to confirm Amazon purchases I didn’t make. The email request was for me to call a number and validate. You can be sure they would have asked for my account and password. It was fraud.
3. Beware of Urgency: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure you into making quick decisions. Be skeptical of requests for immediate action and take your time to validate any unusual requests. False urgency can also be used to ask to access your home screen remotely. Beware and be brave enough to say no!
4. Use Strong Passwords: Create strong, unique passwords for your online accounts and consider using a password manager to keep track of them. Change your passwords regularly. I know, boring but important. One thing you can do that can help dramatically is don’t do the minimum! Meaning if the request is to set a password with 8 characters minimum, use 9 or 10. The more characters can dramatically create more complexity for your password to be cracked.
5. Install Reliable Security Software: Use reputable antivirus and anti-malware software to protect your devices. Keep your operating system and software up to date with the latest security patches.
6. Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter a potential AI scam, report it to the appropriate authorities and organizations, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or your bank. This can help prevent further incidents. Many people walk away feeling they dodged a scam only to allow it to move on to attack someone more vulnerable.

In conclusion, the rise of AI-powered scams is a troubling trend that demands our attention and vigilance. By staying informed, verifying identities (like with a family password), and adopting strong cybersecurity practices, you can protect yourself and your family from falling victim to these malicious schemes. Together, we can make it harder for criminals to exploit technology for their financial gain and ensure a safer digital landscape for all. Stay safe!