Back in the 1920s, a con artist named Victor Lustig famously sold the Eiffel Tower. Twice. He forged papers, spun a compelling story, and preyed on trust.
Today’s scammers don’t need forged documents. They have artificial intelligence.
AI scams are growing more sophisticated by the day. We’re not just talking about misspelled emails from a prince overseas. We’re talking about deepfakes, cloned voices, and phishing messages that feel eerily personal.
Here are three AI-powered scam tactics that are catching even the most cautious among us off guard – and what you can do to stay one step ahead:
1. Voice Cloning: The Trust Hijack: Scammers can now replicate a loved one’s voice using just a few seconds of audio pulled from social media or online videos. Then they call you in a panic—claiming there’s been an emergency and they need money. It’s convincing, it’s fast, and it’s designed to bypass your logic.
Protect yourself: Set up a family “safe word” for emergencies. If a call feels off, hang up and call the person back using a number you trust.
2. Deepfakes: Seeing Isn’t Believing: AI-generated videos and images can make it look like someone said or did something they never actually did. From fake celebrity endorsements to phony political statements, deepfakes prey on our instinct to trust what we see.
Stay grounded: If a video seems shocking or too convenient, hit pause. Verify through credible sources before reacting or sharing.
3. Personalized Phishing: The Inbox Trap: AI lets scammers craft emails or texts that mimic your bank, your boss, or your favorite store, complete with details scraped from your online footprint. These messages are designed to trigger urgency, curiosity, or fear.
Be skeptical: Don’t click links in unexpected messages. Go directly to the official website or app to check. And remember, just because it looks legit doesn’t mean it is.
A Final Thought
Scams have always existed, but the tools have changed. Staying informed is the best way to stay in control. Talk with your family, check your habits, and don’t let speed or emotion override your skepticism.
At Mediate Financial, we believe that protecting your money isn’t just about market moves, it’s also about protecting your peace of mind in the midst of an increasingly evolving world.
This stuff is evolving quickly, and we’ll be here to help you stay ahead of the curve.
We are an independent firm helping individuals create retirement strategies using a variety of investment and insurance products to custom suit their needs and objectives. This material is intended to provide general information to help you understand basic retirement income strategies and should not be construed as financial advice. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values.