The intersection between artificial intelligence and cybersecurity has ushered a new wave of sophistication when it comes to scams. With AI continuously evolving, so too are the methods used by cybercriminals, making it crucial to be more vigilant against AI scams. But how do you identify these AI-generated scam messages? In this article, we’ll explore some tips and tricks to help you spot these deceitful messages before they spot you.

AI-Generated Scams

AI-generated scams are schemes in which cybercriminals use artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically produce deceptive messages, calls, videos, or chats that appear authentic. Unlike traditional scams that rely on generic templates or direct human involvement, AI-generated scams use machine learning models to replicate speech patterns, writing styles, or even visual likenesses, making the trickery far harder to detect.

Whether these schemes are AI-assisted or fully synthetic, it is important to fully understand how to discern AI-generated scams and take the essential first step in building cyber resilience against rapidly evolving attack strategies.

Capability and scalability fuel the rise in AI scams

The emergence of AI scams can be primarily attributed to the advancement in AI capabilities that allow for automated, personalized, and scalable messaging. In many cases, these AI systems utilize machine learning algorithms to analyze vast datasets of human-written text in a matter of seconds, enabling scammers to mimic the tone and language of a trusted person or organization. Combined with other AI-generated content such as deepfake videos and audio recordings that impersonate legitimate figures, these AI-generated messages create a convincing narrative that can deceive even the most discerning reader into thinking they are engaging with a real person.

The enhanced scalability is also driving the production of more AI scams. Traditional scam messages often required a human touch for personalization, limiting the number of messages a scammer could send at once. With scalable AI tools, scammers can mass produce personalized messages quickly, broadening their reach and increasing the chances of victimizing more individuals and organizations.

Types of AI-powered scams

AI-powered scams have outpaced conventional scam detection tools and now transcend traditional email phishing, evolving to include deepfake videos, voice clones, chatbot impersonators, and automated investment cons.

Below, we have listed the most important types of AI-enabled scams to help you recognize, resist, and report them effectively.

Deepfake videos

Deepfake videos can mimic real individuals convincingly by superimposing the likeness and voice of real and powerful people such as CEOs, top executives, and celebrities onto manipulated social media videos or live-streamed communications. These forgeries deceive viewers—financial departments, C-suite assistants, and anyone who handles finances and payments for organizations—and instruct them to divert funds. According to the McAfee’s State of the Scamiverse report, deepfake scams have become a daily reality.

AI voice clones

AI voice cloning accurately replicates a person’s voice, usually a family member or other loved one caught in an emergency or crisis, to extort sensitive information or money from victims such as high-value individuals, business leaders, and the elderly. If you are on the receiving end of such a call, ask personal security questions that only you and your loved one would know. You may also hang up and directly call the number of your loved one to verify the emergency.

→ Related: How to Protect Yourself Against AI Voice Cloning Attacks

Chatbot impersonators

Chatbot impersonators exploit AI’s conversational capabilities, posing as legitimate customer service representatives or automated support bots from reputable companies to extract personal or financial details from unsuspecting victims. Their seamless interaction and prompt, human-like responses make them difficult to detect. It takes a keen eye to spot the linguistic anomalies, so you will have to actively take steps to protect yourself. Check official communication channels before, question unexpected requests, and avoid sharing information online.

Investment cons

Fraudulent quantum or AI-powered trading and investment scams leverage automation to convince victims of lucrative opportunities, often using fake analytical reports and data-driven pitches. These scams prey on novice investors and individuals looking to “get rich quick,” allured by aggressive marketing and automation-driven returns. If you receive such an offer, it is best to verify the legitimacy of investment offers through trusted advisers or regulatory bodies.

Phishing scams

AI phishing scams leverage advanced machine learning algorithms to quickly analyze social media, breached databases, and corporate leaks to write context-specific, hyper-personalized messages, while traditional phishing methods are more generic. These messages will address you by name, reference specific activities, and even imitate internal company communication styles. Stay vigilant and update your security measures to combat this type of threat.

Unemployment scams

Unemployment scams have become increasingly prevalent. These scams often involve criminals using stolen or fake information, often from already-vulnerable individuals seeking financial assistance, to file for unemployment benefits in someone else’s name. If you plan to apply for such benefits, we suggest that you directly transact only with verified state insurance agencies managed by your national labor department.

Romance scams

Romance scammers use AI chatbots and image generators to target individuals on dating platforms by developing trust and emotional bonds before soliciting money or confidential information. Reports from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) indicate rising complaints of AI-generated profiles and scripts, frequently targeting senior citizens and those new to online dating.

→ Related: AI chatbots are becoming romance scammers—and 1 in 3 people admit they could fall for one

Common tactics used in AI scams

To recognize an AI scam, you will need to know the specific tactics commonly used. Here are some of them:

Sense of urgency

AI-generated messages often create a false sense of immediacy, urging recipients to act swiftly to enjoy benefits or to avoid consequences. For instance, threats about account security or paying huge penalties pressures victims to disregard rational thinking and make hasty decisions.

Social engineering

Social engineering exploits trust by incorporating personal information to make scam messages seem genuine and encourage compliance from the victim. Such information includes referencing recent purchases or personal details pulled from social media or public databases.

Spoofing email addresses or phone numbers

In spoofing, scammers mimic reputable companies’ contact details, such as email addresses and phone numbers. Coupled with polished language, this deception makes it challenging to verify authenticity quickly. Awareness of this technique is essential for cybersecurity, ensuring you’re equipped to spot scam messages accurately.

12 ways to detect and deter AI scams

You are not powerless against scammers’ AI-supported attempts to defraud you. Make these steps part of your regular best practices to combat cybercriminal activities:

  1. Stay calm, think fast: When targeted by an AI-generated scam, acting promptly yet calmly minimizes potential damage and aids in faster recovery. You not only reclaim your security, you also regain control of your finances and personal data and reduce the emotional toll on you.
  2. Stop and assess: Don’t move a muscle to avoid clicking any links, downloading attachments, or responding to the sender. Resist acting on urgency or emotional triggers often present in AI-generated scam messages.
  3. Inspect details: Examine the sender’s email address, phone number, or social media handle for subtle anomalies such as misspellings, extra characters, or domain mismatches. Only hover (don’t click!) over links to preview their destination URLs.
  4. Validate via a secondary channel: Contact the alleged sender using their official channel or communication method—such as the company’s main website, a verified phone number, or different platform—to confirm authenticity. Do not use any contact details from the suspicious message itself.
  5. Research online: Copy distinctive phrases or the sender’s details and search scam detection forums, the FTC, or sites like Scamwatch for current warnings or user reports about similar AI scams.
  6. Leverage scam detection tools: Use free or premium online AI scam detection tools that can analyze and flag suspicious emails or deepfake videos in real-time.
  7. Run antivirus and malware scans. Conduct comprehensive antivirus and malware scans on all your devices to eliminate any AI-related malicious software that can compromise your system. Removing these threats expediently is fundamental in protecting your devices and personal information from further damage.
  8. Change passwords and enable two-factor authentication: Layering security measures makes unauthorized access more difficult, enhancing your overall cybersecurity.
  9. Document suspicious activity: Take screenshots and record the suspicious communication, including metadata (such as headers or sender info), for reference when reporting.
  10. Report confirmed scams: Forward scam messages to the relevant authorities (e.g., the FTC, Anti-Phishing Working Group, or your IT/security team). Reporting helps improve scam detection for others and prevents wider harm.
  11. Stay alert: Monitor your accounts for further suspicious communications and continue to educate yourself on evolving AI scam tactics. Regular scam detection awareness can be your best long-term defense.
  12. Enroll in identity theft-monitoring services: Consider subscribing to identity theft monitoring services for continuous protection from future scam attempts. These services offer real-time alerts and support, providing peace of mind amidst the chaos of a scam.

Who to contact after an AI Scam attack

If you discover you’ve been targeted or deceived by an AI-generated scam message, it’s important to act quickly yet calmly to mitigate potential damage. Here are some of the organizations to whom you should report the attack and to help you recover:

  • Your financial institutions: Upon discovering an AI-generated scam, immediately reach out to your banks, insurance or credit bureaus, and request a temporary hold or freeze on your accounts to prevent further unauthorized access. This quick action is crucial in safeguarding your financial assets and credit score, and minimizing potential losses.
  • The authorities: Report the incident to local law enforcement or national bodies like the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. These authorities can help track and prosecute the perpetrators, contributing to broader efforts to combat AI-generated scams. Your report also helps develop data used for preventing future incidents.
  • Your company: This includes your direct supervisor, human resources, finance, and IT. It is important to make them aware of the scam attempt to initiate an investigation, enhance the company’s cybersecurity, and inform all employees.
  • Your family and other connections: Alerting them to the fact that scammers are aware of your group’s personal activities enables them to be prepared in case the scammers also attempt to contact them.

Your personal AI scam prevention toolkit

Fortunately, you can stay a step ahead of scammers using smart, accessible AI tools designed to detect, block, and report fraud before it harms you. We have put together your personal AI scam prevention toolkit—featuring practical apps, browser tools, and habits—that could protect your identity, money, and peace of mind.

  • Password manager: Using a dedicated and automated password manager ensures every account has a unique, complex password—one of the best defenses against credential theft in AI phishing and credential-stuffing attacks.
  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA): With this critical second layer of protection, scammers cannot easily breach accounts requiring verification codes from an independent device or app, even if your password is compromised.
  • Reputable security suite: Comprehensive security software like McAfee+ provides real-time scam detection by scanning for suspicious messages, phishing schemes, and emerging deepfake threats. McAfee constantly updates AI-powered filters against the latest attack tactics and coordinates with global threat intelligence feeds.
  • Browser extension for scam & phishing protection: Solutions like McAfee Web Advisor block malicious websites and flag fraudulent login pages before you are compromised—a must for blocking threats that bypass standard email filters.
  • Call-filtering app: Install mobile apps that leverage AI and crowdsourced scam detection to identify and block suspicious calls from voice-cloning, robocall, or spoofed numbers.
  • Automatic software updates: Regularly updating all your devices and security apps ensures the latest scam detection improvements are active. Many modern scams exploit unpatched software vulnerabilities.
  • Ongoing scam detection education: Subscribe to cybersecurity alerts and review scam prevention guides. Human vigilance and robust technology deliver holistic protection against evolving AI threats. Our resource page has everything you need.

Final thoughts

In summary, the rise of AI scams underscores the importance of vigilance, education, and technological advancement in scam detection. By understanding common tactics used in these scams and employing best practices, individuals can better protect their devices and identity against potential threats, ultimately helping us safeguard our digital lives against these sophisticated, evolving threats.