Staying Safe

Spotting AI Scams

Protect yourself from new tricks scammers are using

Scammers have always tried to trick people out of money. Now they're using AI to do it more convincingly. The good news? Once you know what to look for, these scams become much easier to spot.

Let's talk about how scammers use AI and how to protect yourself.

How Scammers Are Using AI

Fake AI Websites

Scammers create websites that look like real AI tools (like ChatGPT or Claude) but aren't. These fake sites might:

→Ask for your credit card to "activate" a free service
→Charge you for something that's actually free elsewhere
→Steal your personal information
→Install harmful software on your computer

Only use official sites. The real ones are: chat.openai.com (ChatGPT), claude.ai (Claude), and gemini.google.com (Gemini). Type these addresses directly into your browser, don't click links in emails or ads.

AI-Generated Scam Emails

Remember when scam emails had obvious spelling mistakes and weird phrasing? AI has changed that. Now scammers can write perfect, convincing emails that look like they're from:

→Your bank
→The government (Social Security, IRS)
→Companies you do business with (Amazon, Netflix)
→Tech support

Good grammar doesn't mean it's legitimate anymore.

Voice Cloning Scams

This is the scariest one. AI can now clone someone's voice from just a few seconds of audio. Scammers are using this to:

→Call pretending to be a grandchild in trouble ("Grandma, I'm in jail and need bail money!")
→Impersonate family members asking for money
→Pretend to be someone you know and trust

The voice might sound exactly like your grandchild or friend. It's that convincing.

Red Flags That Scream "Scam"

No matter how convincing the message, these are warning signs:

Be suspicious if:

!It's urgent. "Act now!" "Your account will be closed!" "You only have 24 hours!"
!They want unusual payment. Gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or cash by mail are almost always scams.
!They ask you to keep it secret. "Don't tell anyone about this call."
!They contacted you first. You didn't initiate the conversation.
!Something feels off. Trust your gut. If it seems suspicious, it probably is.

How to Protect Yourself

Against Fake AI Websites

→Type website addresses directly — don't click links in emails or ads
→Check the address carefully. "chatgpt-free.com" is NOT the same as "chat.openai.com"
→If asked for payment for a "free" AI tool, it's likely a scam
→Download AI apps only from official app stores (Apple App Store, Google Play)

Against Scam Emails

→Don't click links in emails. Go directly to the company's website instead
→Check the sender's actual email address, not just the name
→When in doubt, call the company directly using a number from your statement or their real website
→Never give personal information in response to an unexpected email

Against Voice Cloning Scams

This requires a special approach because the voice sounds real:

→Create a family code word. Agree on a secret word with family members. In an emergency, ask for the code word.
→Hang up and call back. If someone calls claiming to be family in trouble, hang up and call that person's real phone number.
→Ask a question only they would know. "What did we have for dinner last Sunday?" or "What's our dog's name?"
→Never send money urgently. Real emergencies can wait for verification. Scams can't.

Family code word tip: Pick something simple but not guessable. Don't use pet names or birthdays. Something like "purple elephant" or "lemon pie" works well. Make sure everyone in the family knows it.

What to Do If You're Unsure

When something feels suspicious:

→Slow down. Scammers want you to act fast without thinking.
→Talk to someone. Discuss it with a trusted friend or family member before taking action.
→Verify independently. Use contact information you find yourself, not what they give you.
→Ask AI. Ironically, you can describe a suspicious situation to a legitimate AI tool and ask if it sounds like a scam.

If You've Been Scammed

It happens to smart people. Don't be embarrassed. Take action:

→Contact your bank immediately if money was taken
→Report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
→Change passwords if you shared any login information
→Tell family and friends so they can watch out too

The bottom line: AI makes scams more convincing, but the basic rules still apply. Slow down, verify independently, never send money urgently, and trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, it probably is.

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I help people like you feel confident using AI in everyday life. No jargon, no judgment, just practical guidance.