With every new wave of technology, scammers are among the first to take advantage. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no exception. Criminals are now using AI to supercharge familiar scams – voice impersonation, phishing, fake job offers, romance schemes – making them faster, more convincing, and harder to detect.
To help you stay safe, we’ve gathered a list of the most common AI-driven scams and paired each with links to more information and practical tips for spotting and avoiding them. We’ve also included trusted resources for deeper learning, so you can protect yourself, your colleagues, and your loved ones in the age of AI fraud.
Common AI-Driven Scams
AI Voice Cloning Scams – Criminals use AI to mimic a loved one’s voice (often a child or grandchild) in distress — “Mom, I’m in trouble, send money!” Often used in “grandparent scams” or fake kidnapping calls. But families are by no means the only target. A cloned voice mail from a company CEO might get people to divulge private information.
- Five Ways to Protect Your Voice from AI Voice Cloning Scams
- The dangers of voice cloning and how to combat it
Deepfake Videos – AI-generated fake videos of celebrities, politicians, or even coworkers making it seem like they said or did something they never did. Can be used to spread misinformation or trick you into buying a fake product.
- Understanding Deepfakes: What Older Adults Need to Know – Actually, good basics for any age!
Romance & Catfishing Scams – Scammers use AI-powered chatbots to pose as romantic partners online, building trust before asking for money or gifts.
Phishing Emails & Messages Enhanced with AI – AI makes scam emails/texts look polished, personalized, and free of the usual spelling errors, tricking people into clicking malicious links.
- Preventing Phishing Attacks: Cybersecurity Best Practices for 2025
- AI-Powered Phishing: The rise of hyper-personalized email scams
Investment & Crypto Scams with AI “Advisors” – Fake AI trading tools promise huge profits with “AI-powered” predictions. Often endorsed by fake celebrity videos created with deepfakes.
Job & Resume Scams – Fake job listings or recruiters using AI to craft professional-sounding offers, asking for personal data, upfront “training” fees, or bank details.
- For employers: Fake Job Seekers Are Using AI to Snatch up Jobs and Run Workplace Scams
- Job seekers: AI, Layoffs Fuel Surge in Job Scams
- Job seekers: Common Job Scams in 2025: How to Spot and Avoid Them
AI Customer Service Impersonation – Scammers use AI voice/chat to pretend to be from your bank, tech support, or a delivery service. They try to get account logins, one-time passcodes, or payments.
Fake AI Tools & Apps – Download links to “AI tools” (like ChatGPT clones) that are really malware or spyware. Common on shady websites or unofficial app stores.
- Cybercriminals camouflaging threats as AI tool installers
- Fake AI Apps Are the New Trojan Horse – How Cybercriminals Are Exploiting the AI Boom
Tips to Spot AI Scams
- Check the source: Verify caller IDs, email addresses, and URLs. Don’t trust voices or videos alone.
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Pause & confirm: If you get an urgent call for money, hang up and call the real person back on a known number.
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Look for inconsistencies: AI-generated text/images sometimes have odd details (weird phrasing, distorted backgrounds, extra fingers in images).
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Beware urgency: Scammers create panic (“act now or lose everything”). Legitimate businesses rarely pressure you like this.
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Cross-check information: Search the company, job listing, or investment opportunity online with “scam” or “reviews.”
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Don’t click links blindly: Hover over links in emails/texts to see the real URL before clicking.
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Use official channels: Always go through a bank’s official app or phone number, never numbers or links sent in unsolicited messages.
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Protect your data: Never share one-time codes, account logins, or personal info over the phone/email/chat.
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Update security: Keep your phone, computer, and apps updated; use antivirus and enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
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Trust your gut: If something feels “off,” it probably is. Stop, verify, and report.
Additional Resources
- AI-powered deception: Emerging fraud threats and countermeasures
- 5 AI scams to watch out for in 2025
- What Are AI Scams?
- The Rise of AI-Powered Scams in 2025: How to Protect Yourself
- Avoid AI Scams
- 14 Tips to Protect Yourself from Cyber and Phone Fraud
AI has the power to make life easier, but it also gives scammers new tricks to exploit. By knowing what to watch for and using simple precautions, you can dramatically reduce your risk of falling victim. Share these tips with friends, family, and colleagues. The best defense against AI scams is awareness.