A cyber-themed illustration of a hacker using AI to create deepfake videos and phishing emails, symbolizing AI-powered scams.

Things Schools Should Actually Teach | How to Spot and Avoid AI-Generated Scams

Scammers are getting smarter, and artificial intelligence (AI) is making them more dangerous. They use it to create deepfake videos, AI-generated voices, and chatbots. These are tools they can now use to scam people more convincingly than ever before. This guide will teach you how to recognize and protect yourself from AI-powered scams. Learn how to avoid AI-generated scams such as deepfake videos, AI-generated voices, and automated phishing scams are tricking people, and how to stay safe.

 

How Scammers Use AI to Trick People

AI has made scams more convincing, automated, and scalable.

 

Types of AI-Powered Scams:

  • AI-Powered Phishing: Emails & messages written by AI to steal personal info.
  • AI Chatbot Scams: Fake customer support bots designed to steal data.
  • Automated Scam Calls: AI-generated voices making fake calls for fraud.
  • Deepfake Scams: AI-generated videos & voices that impersonate real people.

 

Pro Tip: If a scam looks too real to be fake, AI might be behind it.

 

AI-Generated Deepfake Scams

What’s happening? Scammers use AI to create fake videos of politicians, celebrities, or even family members. These videos look and sound real but are 100% fake.

Example: A deepfake video of Elon Musk promoting a fake cryptocurrency scheme circulated online.

 

How to Detect Deepfake Videos:

  • Look for unnatural blinking or facial expressions.
  • Watch for lips not syncing properly with speech.
  • Check for odd lighting or glitches.

 

Pro Tip: Use reverse image search (Google Images) to verify if the video or image is real.

 

AI-Powered Voice Scams (“AI Impersonation”)

AI can now clone voices with just a few seconds of audio. What’s happening?

  • Scammers copy someone’s voice (from YouTube, TikTok, phone calls).
  • They call relatives pretending to be a family member in distress.
  • They say something like “Mom, I’m in trouble! Send money!”

 

How to Protect Yourself from AI Deepfakes and Scams

  • If a call sounds urgent and unusual, be skeptical.
  • Never send money based on a phone call alone.
  • Hang up and call the person back on their real number.
  • Have a “family password” that only real family members know.

 

AI-Powered Phishing Emails & Texts

AI makes phishing messages sound more convincing. What’s happening?

  • AI chatbots respond in real-time to trick you into giving away data.
  • Scammers use AI to generate perfectly written fake emails pretending to be:
    • Banks
    • Amazon, PayPal, or Apple
    • Government agencies (IRS, Social Security)

 

How to Spot AI-Generated Phishing Messages

  • Generic greetings (“Dear Customer”)
  • Urgent requests (“Your account is locked! Click here!”)
  • Suspicious links (hover over them before clicking)

 

How to Protect Yourself from AI-Generated Phishing Emails

  • Never click on links in unexpected emails.
  • Go directly to the company’s website instead.
  • Verify emails by calling the official company number.

 

Pro Tip: If an email feels too perfect or too urgent, double-check before acting.

 

AI-Powered Customer Support Scams

Fake AI chatbots are now posing as “official support.”

  • Scammers set up fake support websites with AI chatbots.
  • The chatbot “helps” you reset your password, but steals it instead.
  • Fake AI chatbots can even sound like real human agents.

 

How to Stay Safe from AI-Powered Customer Support Scams:

  • Go directly to the official support page (not links from random websites).
  • Never share personal info with chatbots unless you’re 100% sure it’s real.
  • Look for typos or weird phrasing. AI bots sometimes make mistakes.

 

Pro Tip: Big companies don’t ask for personal info over chat. If a chatbot asks for passwords, it’s fake.

 

AI-Powered Job Scams

  • AI is writing fake job postings that look legitimate.
  • Scammers send professional-looking job offers via LinkedIn or email.
  • They ask for your Social Security number or payment for “training.”

 

How to Spot AI-Powered Job Scams:

  • The job seems too good to be true.
  • The “recruiter” wants personal info right away.
  • They ask you to pay for training materials. Real jobs don’t do this.

 

How to Avoid AI-Powered Job Scams:

If the job sounds like easy money for little effort, it’s probably a scam.

  • Verify the company website before applying.
  • Check the recruiter’s LinkedIn profile. Real recruiters have real networks.
  • Never pay for a job interview or training.

 

How to Protect Yourself from AI Scams

 

Always Verify Before You Act

  • If you get an unexpected call, email, or message. Pause and verify.
  • Contact the person or company directly using official sources.

 

Be Skeptical of Anything That Feels Urgent

  • Scammers use pressure tactics to make you act fast.
  • Always take time to double-check before sending money or information.

 

Use AI Detection Tools

  • Tools like Deepware Scanner can detect deepfake videos.
  • Reverse image search can help spot AI-generated images.

 

Pro Tip: AI scams thrive on trust and urgency. Always verify before acting.

 

AI is Powerful, But So is Awareness

AI scams are getting smarter, but now you know how to spot them. With the tips in the article, now you know how to avoid AI-generated scams. The best defense? Stay skeptical, verify everything, and never rush into decisions.

  • Deepfake videos & AI voice scams can imitate real people.
  • AI-powered phishing emails look more professional than ever.
  • Fake AI chatbots & job offers can steal personal data.

 

Glossary

AI Chatbots: Automated chat programs that can pretend to be real humans.

AI Voice Cloning: AI copying someone’s voice to make fake phone calls.

Deepfake: AI-generated videos that look like real people.

Phishing: A scam where attackers trick people into revealing passwords or financial info.

Reverse Image Search: A tool that checks where an image came from.

 

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About the Author | Hunter Storm | Technology Executive | Global Thought Leader | Keynote Speaker

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Hunter Storm is a veteran Fortune 100 Chief Information Security Officer (CISO); Advisory Board Member; Security Operations Center (SOC) Black Ops Team Member; Systems Architect; Risk Assessor; Strategic Policy and Intelligence Advisor; Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Quantum Innovator, and Cyber-Physical-Psychological (Cyber-Phys-Psy) Hybrid Threat Expert; and Keynote Speaker with deep expertise in AI, cybersecurity, and quantum technologies.

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