 | Halloween seems like the perfect time to discuss the modern-day goblins and demons we face in our digital lives – scams! In recent years we have seen the rapid rise of AI integration – from social media to online shopping and banking, businesses are utilising the tech to improve workflows, streamline processes and improve efficiency. But there are downsides to this emerging technology, one of the scariest being the proliferation of hi-tech scams. |
Just this month the BBC reported on the many fake businesses that are being set up and advertised on social media – scammers create fake profiles using AI to generate everything from the business owners to the premises and goods and then sell to unsuspecting consumers who fall for the digital lies.
As AI improves so will the quality and quantity of the scams. This article by Vodaphone addresses the increasing risk to businesses – perhaps surprisingly their data showed that of the two thirds of employees that were unable to detect an AI phishing scam, it was the 18 to 24 year olds who appeared more likely to fall for the scams than their older colleagues. Chat GPT has made it much easier for scammers to sound legitimate – the once obvious tells are not so easy to spot now as scammers from across the world can deploy the AI chat bot to create convincing, British sounding language to fool unsuspecting consumers and businesses.
Common AI Powered Scams:
There are lots more ways AI can be used by unscrupulous scammers to get your data, money or even your identity and every day a new scam is unleashed. But there are things you can do to protect yourself, from making sure your anti virus and cyber security are up to date to putting measures in place to help you detect a scam when it is presented to you:
The future is uncertain but it seems highly likely that AI will continue to give scammers new ways to attack their victims. If you are unsure about any suspicious websites, messages or calls then it’s always best to get in touch with a File Genie who can offer advice and next steps.
As AI improves so will the quality and quantity of the scams. This article by Vodaphone addresses the increasing risk to businesses – perhaps surprisingly their data showed that of the two thirds of employees that were unable to detect an AI phishing scam, it was the 18 to 24 year olds who appeared more likely to fall for the scams than their older colleagues. Chat GPT has made it much easier for scammers to sound legitimate – the once obvious tells are not so easy to spot now as scammers from across the world can deploy the AI chat bot to create convincing, British sounding language to fool unsuspecting consumers and businesses.
Common AI Powered Scams:
- Online Dating scams – AI is even infiltrating dating apps, as if dating wasn’t hard enough already!
- Creation of fake businesses – users are duped by fake online shopfronts, products and even AI created shop owners.
- Secondhand goods markets such as Vinted.
- Employee fraud.
- Deepfake phone calls.
There are lots more ways AI can be used by unscrupulous scammers to get your data, money or even your identity and every day a new scam is unleashed. But there are things you can do to protect yourself, from making sure your anti virus and cyber security are up to date to putting measures in place to help you detect a scam when it is presented to you:
- Create a safe word with your family – something only you and your close family have knowledge of. If you get a phone call purporting to be your relative and you aren’t sure ask for the safe word you set up together.
- Never give out financial information over the phone.
- Trust your gut – if something feels dodgy it probably is!
- Keep your devices anti virus software and security up to date – get IT support if you are unsure.
The future is uncertain but it seems highly likely that AI will continue to give scammers new ways to attack their victims. If you are unsure about any suspicious websites, messages or calls then it’s always best to get in touch with a File Genie who can offer advice and next steps.
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