Holiday Alert: AI Scams Are Getting Smarter

The holiday season is a busy time for shopping, travel, and staying connected with family and friends. Unfortunately, it's also a busy time for fraudsters.

With the help of artificial intelligence (AI), fraudsters have been able create more realistic phone calls, texts, emails, websites, and even video calls that appear legitimate. Understanding these scams is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your finances this holiday season.

Why AI Makes Scams More Convincing

AI allows fraudsters to create messages and interactions that feel more personal and realistic than ever before. Whether you're shopping online, tracking packages, making donations, or communicating with your family or friends, fraudsters are using AI to exploit your trust and create a false sense of urgency.

Here are five AI-powered scams to watch for this holiday season:

Voice Cloning Scams

One of the fastest-growing fraud trends involves AI-generated voice cloning.

Fraudsters use AI to mimic the voice of a family member or friend where they then create a fake emergency to pressure you into sending money. You may receive a call that sounds like it could be from a family member or friend who says that they are stranded while traveling or facing an urgent situation.

If you get a call like this, pause before taking action. Hang up and contact the person directly using a phone number you are familiar with. Do not redial the phone number that you receive the call or text from as this could be a spoofed number. If you can't reach them, check with another family member or friend before sending money or sharing any personal information.

Deepfake Video Calls

AI can also be used to create realistic video calls that appear to show someone you know.

A fraudster may pose as a family member, friend, or even a trusted professional and they may ask for money, gift cards, or personal information. Because these videos can look quite convincing, do not rely on appearances alone.

If the request is unexpected or urgent, verify it through a different method before responding. Contact another family member or friend that is familiar with the person that is calling.

Smarter Shopping Scams

There's nothing better than finding a great deal during the holidays, and fraudsters know it. Using AI, they create fake shopping websites, advertisements, customer reviews, and promotional emails that look just like the real thing. These are becoming more prevalent on social media, such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. These scams often feature big discounts, popular products, or limited time offers designed to encourage quick purchases. Before checking out, take a moment to make sure you're buying from a retailer you know and trust. If you're shopping with a new business, a quick search for reviews and contact information can help you shop with confidence. Remember, if a deal feels too good to be true, it's worth taking a second look.

Customer Service Impersonation Scams

Many people use online chat services for customer support, especially during the holidays as its more convenient and less time spent waiting for support on the phone.

Fraudsters are using AI-powered chat tools to impersonate customer service representatives from retailers, delivery companies, financial institutions, and technology providers such as Microsoft and Apple. Their primary goal is to collect passwords, account details, verification codes, or debit or credit card payment information.

Remember that legitimate companies will not ask for your password or one-time passcodes. If you're alerted to a problem with an account, package, or purchase, contact the company directly through its official website or phone number.

Personalized Phishing Attacks

Phishing scams have come a long way. In the past, they were often easy to spot because of spelling mistakes or generic messages.

AI is changing that.

Today's phishing messages can include your name, recent purchases, location information, and other personal details that make them appear legitimate.

If you receive an unexpected email or text, take a few extra seconds to review it carefully. Instead of clicking links in the text or email, go directly to the company's website or app to verify the information.

Why "Stop and Verify" Matters

AI-powered scams are designed to look and sound legitimate. Whether it's a familiar voice, a realistic video call, a convincing website, or a professional-looking email, fraudsters are counting on people to react before they think.

During this holiday season, remember one simple rule: Stop and verify before you trust. A quick phone call, a website search to verify information, or a moment to double-check can help protect you from becoming a victim.