AI Scams 2026
⚠️ Quick Alert: AI-powered scams have exploded in 2025–2026, with the FTC reporting over $12.5 billion lost to fraud in 2024 alone — a significant portion now involving artificial intelligence tools. The most common trick: criminals use AI to clone voices, generate deepfake videos, and write hyper-personalized phishing emails that are nearly impossible to distinguish from real communication. If you think you’ve been targeted, stop all communication with the suspected scammer immediately and contact your bank.
Currently trending: AI voice cloning scams where criminals replicate a family member’s voice from just a few seconds of social media audio (Q1 2026)
Biggest red flag: Any unexpected urgency — a call, email, or message pressuring you to act immediately, send money, or share personal information
How Big Is the AI Scam Problem?
Artificial intelligence hasn’t just changed how we work — it has fundamentally transformed how criminals operate. The numbers paint a stark picture of just how rapidly AI-powered fraud is growing.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported losing more than $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from the previous year. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received over 880,000 complaints in 2024, with losses exceeding $12.8 billion — a record high. What’s particularly alarming is the role AI now plays: a Deloitte analysis projects that AI-generated fraud could account for $40 billion in losses by 2027 in the United States alone.
The demographics hit hardest vary by scam type. The FTC notes that consumers aged 20–29 report losing money more frequently, while those aged 70+ report the highest individual losses — with a median loss of $1,000 per incident. Meanwhile, a McKinsey report on digital trust found that 78% of cybersecurity professionals surveyed in 2025 said AI-enabled threats had become their top concern, up from 52% the year prior.
Investment scams remain the costliest category overall, responsible for over $4.6 billion in reported losses according to the FTC. But the common thread across nearly every fraud category — from romance scams to tech support fraud — is the increasing involvement of AI tools that make deception more convincing, scalable, and harder to detect.
The 14 Most Dangerous AI Scams in 2026
1. AI Voice Cloning Scams — “Help, I’m in Trouble!”
How it works: Criminals harvest a short audio clip of someone’s voice — often from social media videos, TikTok, YouTube, or even a voicemail greeting. Using readily available AI voice cloning tools, they generate a near-perfect replica of that person’s voice. They then call the victim’s family members, typically posing as a grandchild or child in distress, claiming they’ve been arrested, are in the hospital, or have been kidnapped. The caller begs for immediate financial help and insists the victim not tell anyone else. Some sophisticated operations pair the cloned voice with a spoofed caller ID showing the real person’s phone number.
Red flags:
- An unexpected call from a loved one claiming an emergency that requires immediate money
- The caller insists on secrecy — “Don’t tell Mom” or “Don’t call the police”
- They request payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency (untraceable methods)
- The voice sounds slightly robotic or has unnatural pauses when asked unexpected questions
- They can’t answer personal questions that only the real person would know
Real example: In early 2025, an Arizona mother received a call that sounded exactly like her 15-year-old daughter, sobbing and saying she’d been kidnapped. The scammer demanded $50,000 in ransom. The mother nearly paid before her husband confirmed their daughter was safe at school. The FBI confirmed that AI voice cloning was used. Similar incidents have been reported across all 50 states, with losses ranging from a few hundred dollars to over $100,000 per victim.
How to protect yourself: Establish a family “safe word” — a code word that only your family knows, which anyone can ask for during an emergency call. If the caller can’t provide it, hang up and call the person directly on their known number.
2. Deepfake Video Scams — Seeing Isn’t Believing Anymore
How it works: Scammers create highly realistic AI-generated videos of real people — CEOs, celebrities, financial influencers, or even your boss — to promote fake investments, solicit payments, or authorize fraudulent transactions. In corporate settings (known as “business email compromise 2.0”), criminals have used live deepfake video calls to impersonate C-suite executives and instruct employees to transfer funds. On social media, deepfake videos of public figures like Elon Musk, Warren Buffett, or MrBeast are used to promote cryptocurrency scams and fake giveaways.
Red flags:
- A video call where the person’s lip movements seem slightly out of sync with their words
- Unusual lighting artifacts, flickering around the edges of the face, or unnatural blinking
- A known public figure personally endorsing a specific investment or giveaway (they almost never do this)
- The video appears only on social media ads or unofficial channels — not on the person’s verified accounts
- Requests for money, crypto, or personal information based solely on what you saw in a video
Real example: In February 2024, a Hong Kong-based multinational lost $25.6 million after a finance worker was tricked by a deepfake video call that replicated the company’s CFO and several other colleagues. The employee attended what appeared to be a routine video conference — but every participant except the victim was an AI-generated deepfake. This case, widely reported by CNN and the South China Morning Post, became a landmark example of corporate deepfake fraud.
How to protect yourself: For corporate transactions above a certain threshold, implement mandatory callback verification through a known phone number — never authorize large transfers based solely on a video call. For social media, verify any investment endorsement through the person’s official, verified accounts.
3. AI-Powered Phishing Emails — The End of “Spot the Typo”
How it works: Traditional phishing emails were often easy to spot — broken English, generic greetings, obvious formatting errors. AI has eliminated these telltale signs. Using large language models, scammers now generate phishing emails that perfectly mimic a company’s tone, include personalized details scraped from your LinkedIn or social media profiles, reference real recent transactions, and even match the writing style of specific colleagues. Some operations use AI to monitor your email patterns and time the phishing attempt to coincide with expected communications — like a fake invoice arriving when a real payment is due.
Red flags:
- An email that creates unusual urgency — “Your account will be closed in 24 hours”
- Links that look correct at first glance but have subtle misspellings (e.g., “arnazon.com” instead of “amazon.com”)
- Requests to “verify” your password, Social Security number, or payment information via a link
- The sender’s email address doesn’t quite match the official domain when you look closely
- Attachments you weren’t expecting, especially .zip, .exe, or macro-enabled documents
Real example: A 2025 report by SlashNext found that AI-generated phishing emails had a 60% higher click-through rate than traditional phishing attempts, because they contained zero grammatical errors and included personalized context. One documented case involved a targeted spear-phishing campaign against a mid-size law firm where every email referenced real case numbers and client names — all scraped from public court records and processed by AI.
How to protect yourself: Never click links in unexpected emails, even if they look perfect. Instead, navigate directly to the website by typing the URL yourself. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all accounts so that even if credentials are stolen, they can’t be used alone. Use an antivirus with real-time web protection to flag malicious links.
4. AI Romance Scams — Fake Relationships, Real Financial Damage
How it works: Romance scams have always been among the most financially devastating fraud types, and AI has supercharged them. Scammers now use AI chatbots to maintain convincing, emotionally engaging conversations with dozens of victims simultaneously — 24/7, without fatigue. They generate fake profile photos using AI image generators (no more reverse-image-searchable stolen photos), create deepfake video clips for “proof” they’re real, and use AI to adapt their personality, language, and emotional tone to match what each victim responds to best. The end goal remains the same: build emotional dependence, then ask for money.
Red flags:
- A new online relationship that escalates emotionally very quickly
- The person can never meet in person — there’s always an excuse (military deployment, working on an oil rig, medical emergency abroad)
- They send photos or short video clips that look perfect but never agree to a spontaneous live video call
- The conversation feels unusually smooth, perfectly timed, and emotionally attuned (AI chatbots don’t have bad days)
- They eventually bring up financial troubles — a medical bill, a stuck investment, customs fees for a package
Real example: The FTC reported that romance scams accounted for $1.14 billion in losses in 2023, making it the second most costly fraud type. In 2025, security researchers at Sophos documented a “pig butchering” ring that used AI chatbots to simultaneously manage over 5,000 active romance conversations. Victims reported conversations that felt deeply personal and genuine — because the AI was trained to mirror each person’s communication style.
How to protect yourself: Reverse-image search any profile photo using Google Images or TinEye. Be extremely skeptical of anyone who won’t video call live and spontaneously. Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person, regardless of the story. If the emotional connection feels almost too perfect, trust that instinct — real relationships have friction.
5. AI-Generated Fake Websites & Shopping Scams — Stores That Don’t Exist
How it works: Using AI, scammers can now build a convincing e-commerce website in under an hour. These sites feature AI-generated product descriptions, realistic product images (sometimes stolen from legitimate retailers, sometimes entirely AI-generated), fake customer reviews written by AI, and professional-looking layouts built using AI website builders. They’re promoted through social media ads — particularly on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok — with deepfake testimonial videos and prices that seem too good to be true. Once a victim makes a purchase, they either receive nothing, a cheap counterfeit, or — worst case — their payment information is stolen for future fraud.
Red flags:
- Prices significantly below market rate (60–90% off luxury items)
- The website domain was registered very recently (check via WHOIS lookup)
- No physical address, phone number, or verifiable contact information
- Reviews that sound generic, are all posted around the same date, or use suspiciously similar language
- Only accepts payment methods with no buyer protection (wire transfer, Zelle, cryptocurrency)
- Social media ads with deepfake video testimonials from “satisfied customers” or celebrities
Real example: In the 2024 holiday shopping season, the Better Business Bureau flagged over 37,000 fake online stores — a 45% increase from the previous year, driven largely by AI-generated storefronts. One operation created over 1,200 fake luxury handbag stores in a single week using AI tools. The Washington Post reported that victims lost an average of $125 per transaction but that credit card information theft led to additional fraudulent charges averaging over $2,300.
How to protect yourself: Always verify a store before purchasing. Check the domain age, look for real customer reviews on independent platforms like Trustpilot, and pay with a credit card (not debit) for maximum chargeback protection. Use a VPN when shopping online to protect your connection, and install an antivirus with web protection that flags known scam sites.
6. AI Job Scams — Fake Offers for Real Personal Data
How it works: Scammers use AI to create highly convincing fake job listings on legitimate platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter. The listings mimic real companies’ branding, writing style, and job requirements — sometimes cloning actual open positions at real companies with only the contact information changed. Victims go through what feels like a real hiring process: AI chatbot “interviews,” professional-looking offer letters, even fake onboarding portals. The goal is to collect sensitive personal information (Social Security numbers, bank details for “direct deposit setup,” copies of IDs) or to trick victims into paying upfront fees for “equipment,” “training,” or “background checks.”
Red flags:
- A job offer after little to no real interview process
- The “company” contacts you first with an unsolicited offer
- The interview is conducted entirely via chat or a one-way AI-driven questionnaire — never a live conversation
- You’re asked for your Social Security number, bank details, or ID copies before being formally hired
- You’re asked to pay for anything upfront — equipment, software, training materials, background checks
- The salary seems unusually high for the role and experience level required
Real example: The FBI’s IC3 reported a 118% increase in employment scam complaints from 2022 to 2024. In one documented case, a 2025 operation cloned the entire careers page of a Fortune 500 company, complete with AI-generated recruiter profiles on LinkedIn. Over 200 applicants submitted Social Security numbers and bank details before the scam was detected. The Identity Theft Resource Center noted that job scam victims face an average identity recovery time of 6 months and 200+ hours of effort.
How to protect yourself: Verify any job offer by contacting the company directly through their official website — not through contact information provided in the job listing. Never pay for anything as part of a hiring process. Be wary of jobs that seem too good to be true, especially remote positions with above-market salaries and minimal requirements. Use an identity monitoring service to get alerts if your personal information is being used fraudulently.
7. AI Investment & Crypto Scams — “Guaranteed Returns” Powered by AI Hype
How it works: These scams exploit the massive public interest in AI technology. Fraudsters create fake AI-powered trading platforms, AI token launches, and “AI investment funds” that promise extraordinary returns — often claiming to use proprietary artificial intelligence algorithms that “can’t lose.” The presentation is polished: professional websites built by AI, fake performance dashboards showing consistent gains, AI-generated whitepaper documents with technical jargon, and deepfake video testimonials from supposed “AI experts” or well-known tech figures. Some are Ponzi schemes that use early investors’ money to pay out “returns” to create legitimacy before collapsing. Others are straight “rug pulls” in crypto.
Red flags:
- Promises of guaranteed or consistently high returns (10–50%+ monthly) with “no risk”
- Claims that an AI algorithm has discovered a market inefficiency or unbeatable strategy
- Pressure to invest quickly before a “limited window” closes
- Fake celebrity or expert endorsements (especially deepfake videos)
- Difficulty or delays when trying to withdraw your money
- The platform isn’t registered with the SEC or FINRA
- Unsolicited messages on social media or messaging apps promoting the investment
Real example: The SEC issued multiple investor alerts throughout 2024–2025 specifically about AI-related investment fraud. In one case, the SEC shut down a scheme called “AI Trading Systems Inc.” that had collected $27 million from over 4,000 investors by promising 35% monthly returns from an AI that supposedly traded cryptocurrency. The AI didn’t exist — the dashboard showed fabricated numbers while the operators funneled money offshore. The North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) named AI-related investment scams as the #1 emerging threat for 2025.
How to protect yourself: Any investment promising guaranteed high returns is a scam — full stop. Always verify that an investment platform is registered with the SEC or FINRA using their free online tools (EDGAR for companies, BrokerCheck for advisors). Never invest based on social media ads or unsolicited messages. If you can’t independently verify the existence of the company, its officers, and its track record through official regulatory databases, walk away.
8. AI Tech Support Scams — Fake Alerts, Real Theft
How it works: You’re browsing the web when a full-screen pop-up appears: “YOUR COMPUTER HAS BEEN COMPROMISED — CALL MICROSOFT SUPPORT IMMEDIATELY.” The pop-up may include a flashing red warning, an alarm sound, and a phone number. What’s changed with AI is what happens when you call. Instead of (or in addition to) a human scammer, some operations now use AI voice agents that sound professional, patient, and genuinely helpful. The AI agent walks you through “diagnostic steps” that actually give the scammer remote access to your computer. Once inside, they install malware, steal saved passwords, access banking information, or demand hundreds of dollars for “fixing” the nonexistent problem. More sophisticated versions use AI to generate personalized alerts that reference your actual ISP, location, or recently visited websites.
Red flags:
- A browser pop-up or system alert with a phone number to call (legitimate security software never does this)
- The alert locks your browser or shows a full-screen warning you can’t close
- The “technician” asks you to download remote access software like AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or UltraViewer
- They request payment via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
- They claim to find “hackers” on your system and escalate the urgency progressively
- The “support agent” sounds overly polished and never loses patience (AI voice agents)
Real example: The FTC estimated that tech support scams cost Americans over $924 million in 2024. Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit reported that AI-augmented tech support scams increased by 300% between early 2024 and late 2025, with the average victim losing $1,200. Seniors aged 65+ represent roughly 66% of victims, according to the AARP.
How to protect yourself: No legitimate company will ever contact you through a pop-up alert with a phone number. If you see such an alert, close the browser tab (use Ctrl+Alt+Delete or Force Quit if needed). Never give remote access to your computer to someone who contacts you unsolicited. Install a reputable antivirus that blocks malicious pop-ups and phishing sites in real time.
9. AI-Powered Social Media Impersonation — Stealing Identities to Scam Your Network
How it works: Scammers scrape a real person’s social media profile — photos, posts, bio, friend list — and use AI to create a convincing clone account. The AI generates new posts in the victim’s writing style, creates realistic profile photos from slightly different angles using face synthesis, and then reaches out to the person’s contacts. The clone account sends friend requests or follows the target’s connections, then messages them with urgent requests: “Hey, I’m locked out of my bank account — can you Venmo me $200? I’ll pay you back tomorrow.” The clone can also be used to promote scams, spread disinformation, or conduct romance scams using the real person’s identity.
Red flags:
- A duplicate friend request from someone you’re already connected with
- A message from a “friend” asking for money through an unusual channel
- The account was created very recently but has posts dating back weeks or months (AI-generated backdated content)
- The person’s writing style in messages seems slightly off — more generic or overly polished
- They avoid live voice or video calls and stick to text messaging
Real example: Meta’s transparency report indicated the company removed over 2.6 billion fake accounts in 2024, with an increasing share using AI-generated profile content. A CBS News investigation profiled a teacher in Ohio whose identity was cloned across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn simultaneously. The clone accounts scammed 14 of her contacts out of a combined $8,400 before being detected and removed.
How to protect yourself: Set your social media profiles to private. If you receive a duplicate friend request from someone you’re already connected with, contact them through a different channel to verify. Never send money based on a social media message alone. Report fake profiles immediately to the platform. Consider using identity monitoring services that scan social media for unauthorized use of your information.
10. AI-Generated Government & IRS Scams — Fake Authority, Real Fear
How it works: Scammers use AI to impersonate government agencies — the IRS, Social Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security, or local law enforcement. Using AI voice synthesis, they can replicate the tone and cadence of an official government automated phone system, making robocalls that sound entirely authentic. The message typically claims there’s a warrant for your arrest, your Social Security number has been compromised, or you owe back taxes. AI-generated emails and letters replicate official formatting, logos, and legal language with near-perfect accuracy. Some scammers now use AI to generate personalized threat letters that include the victim’s real address, partial SSN, or tax information obtained from data breaches.
Red flags:
- The IRS, SSA, or any government agency calling to threaten immediate arrest (they don’t do this)
- Demands for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency (government agencies never request this)
- A call claiming your Social Security number has been “suspended” (this isn’t a real thing)
- Pressure to act immediately without time to verify
- A caller who already knows some of your personal details and uses this to establish credibility
- An official-looking letter or email with a phone number or link that doesn’t match the agency’s official website
Real example: The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) reported that IRS impersonation scams have collected over $95 million from victims since they began tracking them. In 2025, the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General flagged a new wave of AI-enhanced SSA scams where the automated phone message was indistinguishable from real SSA communications, complete with accurate hold music and transfer procedures.
How to protect yourself: Remember that the IRS initiates contact through mail — never by phone, email, or text. If you receive a suspicious call claiming to be from a government agency, hang up and call the agency directly using the number on their official website (.gov domain). Never provide personal information or payment to an unsolicited caller, regardless of how official they sound.
11. AI Sextortion Scams — AI-Generated Explicit Images as Blackmail
How it works: This is one of the fastest-growing and most psychologically devastating AI scam types. Criminals take publicly available photos of a victim — from social media, LinkedIn, school websites, or anywhere online — and use AI image generation tools to create realistic fake explicit images of that person. They then contact the victim directly, showing the fabricated images and threatening to send them to the victim’s family, friends, employer, or post them publicly unless a ransom is paid. In some cases, the scammer doesn’t even contact the victim directly but creates fake explicit profiles on adult websites using the generated images, then demands payment for removal.
Red flags:
- An unsolicited message from a stranger claiming to have compromising photos of you
- The “evidence” they share looks realistic but you know the images were never taken
- Demands for payment (usually cryptocurrency) with a tight deadline
- Threats to contact specific people in your life (they often pull names from your social media connections)
- The scammer knows personal details about you but only information available publicly online
Real example: The FBI reported a dramatic surge in AI sextortion cases starting in 2023, with over 12,600 complaints by mid-2024 — a number the Bureau acknowledged was a significant undercount given the stigma preventing reporting. Victims include adults, but alarmingly also teenagers. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) reported a 300% increase in AI-generated CSAM reports. In one documented 2025 case, a high school in New Jersey discovered that AI-generated fake explicit images had been created of over 30 students using their yearbook photos.
How to protect yourself: Limit publicly accessible photos of yourself online, especially high-resolution face images. If you receive sextortion threats, do not pay — paying encourages further demands and doesn’t guarantee deletion. Report to the FBI’s IC3 at ic3.gov, the NCMEC’s CyberTipline if a minor is involved, and the platform where the images appear. Screenshot all communications as evidence.
12. AI Chatbot Scams — Fake Customer Service & Fake AI Assistants
How it works: Scammers deploy AI chatbots that impersonate legitimate customer service channels for banks, tech companies, airlines, and retailers. These bots appear in search results (through malicious SEO), fake social media accounts, or sponsored ads. When a frustrated customer reaches out for help, the AI chatbot provides professional, helpful-sounding responses — but its real purpose is to collect login credentials, credit card numbers, or personal information under the guise of “verifying your identity” or “processing your refund.” A separate variant involves fake AI assistant apps or Chrome extensions that promise enhanced ChatGPT or AI capabilities but actually harvest your data or install malware.
Red flags:
- A customer service chatbot found through a Google ad rather than the company’s official website
- The chatbot asks for your full credit card number, CVV, or banking password (real support never needs this)
- A social media “support” account that reaches out to you proactively after you post a complaint
- Fake AI apps or browser extensions that require excessive permissions
- The chatbot’s URL doesn’t match the company’s official domain
Real example: Trend Micro researchers documented over 4,500 fake customer service chatbots active across social media platforms in Q3 2025, impersonating major banks and tech companies. A separate investigation by Avast found dozens of fake “ChatGPT” Chrome extensions in the Chrome Web Store that collectively infected over 800,000 browsers before being removed, stealing Facebook credentials and browser cookies.
How to protect yourself: Always access customer service through the company’s official website or app — never through search ads or social media. No legitimate customer service agent will ever ask for your full password. Before installing any AI-related app or extension, verify its publisher and read reviews carefully. Use a password manager so you never manually enter credentials on a fake site.
13. AI-Powered Rental & Real Estate Scams — Dream Homes That Don’t Exist
How it works: Scammers use AI to create convincing fake rental listings on platforms like Zillow, Apartments.com, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace. AI generates attractive listing descriptions, realistic interior photos of properties that may not exist (or don’t belong to the scammer), and even virtual staging of empty apartments. The “landlord” communicates professionally (often using AI-written messages), offers a price just below market rate to attract interest, and pressures the victim into paying a deposit and first month’s rent before viewing the property in person. Some scammers go further, using AI to create fake identity documents and property ownership records.
Red flags:
- Rent significantly below the market rate for the area
- The landlord can’t meet in person or show the property — only offers virtual tours or photos
- Pressure to pay a deposit immediately to “hold” the unit before someone else takes it
- Payment requested via wire transfer, Zelle, or Venmo rather than a normal lease-and-check process
- Listing photos that look unusually polished or staged (AI-generated images sometimes have subtle artifacts)
- The landlord claims to be overseas, out of state, or otherwise unavailable to meet
Real example: The Internet Crime Complaint Center reported that rental fraud losses exceeded $396 million in 2024, a sharp increase attributed partly to AI-enabled listing generation. Apartment List’s annual fraud survey found that 1 in 3 apartment hunters in 2025 encountered a suspected scam listing, with AI-generated listings being cited as harder to distinguish from real ones. One scam ring in Texas used AI to generate and post over 500 fake listings across multiple platforms in a single month.
How to protect yourself: Never pay a deposit without physically visiting the property and verifying the landlord’s identity. Search the listing photos using reverse image search. Verify property ownership through your county’s public records or assessor’s website. Be skeptical of any listing priced significantly below comparable properties in the area.
14. AI-Powered “Wrong Number” & Pig Butchering Scams — The Long Con
How it works: This scam begins with an innocent-looking text message: “Hey, is this Jake? It’s Sarah from the conference.” When you reply that they have the wrong number, the scammer strikes up a friendly conversation. What makes the 2025–2026 version different is that AI chatbots now manage these initial conversations, running them simultaneously across thousands of targets. The AI is trained to be charming, ask personal questions, and gradually build rapport over days or weeks. Eventually, the conversation shifts to investing — the scammer (or the AI, with human oversight) introduces a “guaranteed” crypto or forex opportunity. This is the “pig butchering” phase: fattening the pig (building trust) before the slaughter (stealing the money). Victims are directed to a fake trading platform that shows impressive returns until they try to withdraw.
Red flags:
- An unexpected text from a “wrong number” that leads to ongoing conversation
- The person is unusually friendly, curious about your life, and available to chat at all hours
- They’re attractive, successful, and share glamorous lifestyle photos (often AI-generated)
- After a few weeks, they casually mention how much money they’re making with a specific investment or trading platform
- They offer to “teach you” how to invest or insist on a specific platform you’ve never heard of
- The platform shows gains, but when you try to withdraw, there are fees, taxes, or “verification requirements” blocking access
Real example: The FBI’s 2024 IC3 report identified pig butchering as the fastest-growing scam category, responsible for over $3.96 billion in losses — nearly tripling from 2023. ProPublica and the Global Anti-Scam Organization (GASO) have documented how many of these operations are run from forced-labor compounds in Southeast Asia, where trafficked workers are forced to run scams — with AI tools now multiplying each worker’s output by managing many victim conversations simultaneously.
How to protect yourself: Don’t engage with unsolicited “wrong number” texts beyond a brief correction. If an online acquaintance steers the conversation toward investments, that’s a major warning sign. Never invest through a platform recommended solely by someone you met online. If you’re already involved and can see “profits” on a dashboard, try withdrawing a small amount first — in a pig butchering scam, you’ll encounter obstacles that prevent any real withdrawal.
Already Been Scammed? Here’s What to Do Right Now
If you suspect you’ve fallen victim to an AI-powered scam, speed matters. The faster you act, the better your chances of limiting the damage and potentially recovering lost funds. Follow these steps in order.
Step 1: Stop the Bleeding (Do This Immediately)
First, cut all contact with the scammer — do not respond to further messages, calls, or emails, even if they threaten you. Block their number and accounts. If you gave remote access to your computer, disconnect it from the internet immediately and change all passwords from a different, clean device. If you shared banking or credit card details, call your bank’s fraud department right now — most major banks have 24/7 fraud hotlines. Request a temporary freeze on your accounts and cards. If you shared your Social Security number, place a fraud alert or credit freeze with all three credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Step 2: Document Everything
Before you delete anything, screenshot and save all evidence. This includes text messages, emails, chat logs, call logs, transaction receipts, wire transfer confirmations, the scammer’s profile or website, and any files they sent you. Save the scammer’s phone number, email address, crypto wallet address, usernames, and any URLs they shared. Store this evidence in a dedicated folder — you’ll need it for reports and potential recovery efforts. If the scam involved a phone call, check if your phone automatically logged the number and call duration.
Step 3: Report the Scam
Reporting serves two purposes: it creates an official record that may help with recovery, and it helps law enforcement identify and shut down scam operations. File reports with:
- FTC (Federal Trade Commission): reportfraud.ftc.gov — the primary federal fraud database
- FBI IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center): ic3.gov — especially for internet-based fraud, crypto scams, and losses over $1,000
- Your state attorney general: Find yours at naag.org — some states have dedicated fraud recovery programs
- The platform where the scam occurred: Report to the platform’s Trust & Safety team (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Telegram, the app store, etc.)
- Your bank or credit card company: File a formal fraud dispute — not just a phone report but a written claim
- Local police: File a report for your records, especially if identity theft is involved
If the scam involved impersonation of a specific company or government agency, also report it to that organization (e.g., the IRS for IRS scams, Microsoft for tech support scams).
Step 4: Protect Your Identity Going Forward
Even if the scam was purely financial, your personal information may now be compromised. Take these protective steps:
- Place a credit freeze with all three bureaus (this is free and prevents new accounts from being opened in your name)
- Monitor your credit reports regularly for unfamiliar accounts or inquiries — you’re entitled to free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com
- Change passwords on all accounts, starting with email and banking, using unique, strong passwords for each
- Enable multi-factor authentication on every account that supports it
- Consider an identity monitoring service that scans the dark web, social media, and financial databases for unauthorized use of your information — see our guide to the best identity theft protection services
Can You Get Your Money Back?
The honest answer depends on how you paid. Here’s a realistic breakdown:
Credit card payments offer the best recovery odds. Federal law limits your liability to $50 for unauthorized transactions, and most major issuers offer zero-liability policies. File a chargeback dispute with your credit card company within 60 days. Recovery success rate for credit card fraud disputes is approximately 75–85% according to industry data.
Debit card payments are harder to recover. While the Electronic Fund Transfer Act provides some protection, you must report within 2 business days to limit your liability to $50. After that, your liability increases to $500, and after 60 days, you could lose everything. Contact your bank immediately to dispute the charge.
Wire transfers and bank transfers are very difficult to recover once processed. Contact your bank and the receiving bank immediately — if the money hasn’t been withdrawn yet, it may be possible to intercept. File reports with the FBI IC3 as they work with international partners to freeze fraudulent accounts in some cases.
Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, and similar P2P payments are generally non-recoverable for authorized transactions (meaning you sent the money yourself, even if you were deceived). These services have limited fraud protections compared to credit cards. However, file a dispute anyway and report to the platform — policies are evolving, and some platforms have begun offering limited protections for scam victims.
Cryptocurrency is the most difficult to recover. Once crypto is sent, transactions are irreversible. Be extremely skeptical of “recovery services” that claim they can retrieve stolen crypto — many of these are themselves scams targeting previous victims. Report to the FBI IC3, which has a dedicated cryptocurrency fraud team that has occasionally been able to trace and freeze funds.
Tools That Help Protect Against AI Scams
No single tool makes you scam-proof, but layering the right protections significantly reduces your risk. Here are the categories of tools most effective against AI-powered threats.
Antivirus with real-time web protection is your first line of defense against phishing links, malicious websites, and malware. Modern antivirus solutions use their own AI to detect AI-generated threats, flagging suspicious URLs, blocking fake websites in real time, and scanning downloads before they execute. Look for solutions with browser extension protection that works across Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. See our full comparison: Best Antivirus Software 2026.
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your internet connection, making it harder for scammers to intercept your data on public Wi-Fi networks — a common attack vector. Some VPNs also include built-in ad and malware blockers that filter out known scam websites. This is especially important when shopping online or accessing financial accounts from public networks. See: Best VPN Services 2026.
Identity monitoring services continuously scan data breach databases, the dark web, social media, and public records for unauthorized use of your personal information. They alert you if your Social Security number, email addresses, or financial information appears where it shouldn’t. The best services also offer recovery assistance with dedicated case managers who help you navigate the recovery process. See: Best Identity Theft Protection 2026.
Password managers generate and store unique, complex passwords for every account, eliminating the risk of credential reuse — one of the easiest ways scammers exploit stolen data. They also autofill only on legitimate domains, providing built-in phishing protection (the password manager won’t autofill your bank login on a fake bank website). See: Best Password Managers 2026.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) apps like Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, or Authy add a second verification layer that makes stolen passwords alone insufficient. Even if a phishing email captures your login, the scammer still can’t access your account without the authentication code from your phone. Use app-based MFA rather than SMS codes where possible, as SMS can be intercepted through SIM swap attacks.
Frequently Asked Questions About AI Scams
How do I know if something is an AI scam?
The most reliable indicators are urgency, unsolicited contact, and requests for money or sensitive information. AI scams are designed to bypass your logical thinking by triggering emotional responses — fear, greed, romantic attachment, or panic. If any unexpected communication pressures you to act immediately, send money through hard-to-trace methods, or share personal information, treat it as a potential scam. Verify the person or organization’s identity independently before taking any action.
Can you really get scammed by AI?
Absolutely. AI has made scams more convincing, more personalized, and more scalable than ever before. AI voice cloning can replicate your family member’s voice from a 3-second audio clip. AI-generated deepfake videos can put words in anyone’s mouth. AI chatbots can carry on convincing conversations for weeks without human involvement. And AI-written phishing emails have eliminated the grammatical errors that used to be dead giveaways. The technology is accessible, affordable, and improving rapidly, which is why AI-related fraud has surged across every category.
How do I report an AI scam?
File reports with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and the FBI’s IC3 at ic3.gov. Also report to the platform where the scam occurred (social media sites, messaging apps, job boards, or dating sites all have reporting mechanisms) and to your local police department. If the scam involved identity theft, report to the Identity Theft Resource Center and file an identity theft affidavit at IdentityTheft.gov.
Can I get my money back from an AI scam?
It depends on the payment method. Credit card transactions offer the best chance of recovery through chargebacks — file a dispute within 60 days. Debit card transactions have some protection if reported within 2 days. Wire transfers, P2P payments (Zelle, Venmo, Cash App), and cryptocurrency are very difficult to recover. Report all losses to the FBI IC3 regardless of payment method, as their financial fraud teams have recovered funds in some cases. Be wary of any “recovery service” that charges upfront fees — many are scams themselves.
Why are AI scams increasing so rapidly?
Three factors are driving the explosion. First, AI tools have become dramatically cheaper and easier to use — voice cloning, image generation, and text generation that once required technical expertise can now be done by anyone with basic computer skills. Second, AI makes scams scalable — one operator can now manage thousands of simultaneous scam conversations through chatbots. Third, AI makes scams more convincing — the telltale signs of fraud (poor grammar, generic messaging, obviously fake photos) that trained us to be skeptical have been eliminated. According to the World Economic Forum, AI-enabled cybercrime is growing at roughly 300% year-over-year in terms of incident reports.
Are AI scams illegal?
Yes. AI scams violate multiple federal and state laws, including wire fraud statutes (18 U.S.C. § 1343), computer fraud and abuse laws, identity theft statutes, and FTC regulations against deceptive practices. The creation of AI deepfakes for fraud can carry additional charges. Several states have also enacted specific legislation targeting AI-generated deepfakes and synthetic media used for fraud or harassment. Federal penalties for wire fraud alone can include up to 20 years in prison per count. However, enforcement is challenging because many scam operations are based overseas.
What is the most common AI scam in 2026?
Based on current FTC and FBI data, AI-enhanced phishing (emails, texts, and messages) remains the most common AI scam by volume, affecting millions of potential victims daily. However, AI voice cloning scams targeting individuals and deepfake video scams targeting businesses are the fastest-growing categories in 2025–2026 and tend to result in higher per-incident losses. AI-powered romance and pig butchering scams, while fewer in number, remain the most financially devastating on a per-victim basis, with average losses exceeding $50,000.
How do scammers use AI to find victims?
Scammers use AI to automate and optimize every stage of victim targeting. AI scrapes social media platforms to build detailed profiles of potential victims — identifying financial status, emotional vulnerabilities, interests, and social connections. AI algorithms then determine which scam type is most likely to succeed for each target and craft personalized approaches. For mass-targeting, AI generates thousands of unique phishing messages personalized to each recipient. For high-value targets, AI assembles comprehensive dossiers from public data that enable highly convincing impersonation and social engineering attacks.
Can AI detect AI scams?
Increasingly, yes — and this is a critical front in the fight against AI fraud. Security companies, email providers, and social media platforms are deploying AI-powered detection systems that identify deepfakes, AI-generated text, synthetic voices, and fraudulent patterns. Your antivirus software likely already uses AI to detect threats. However, it’s an arms race — as detection improves, scammers refine their techniques. The most effective approach combines AI detection tools with human skepticism and verification habits. Technology alone isn’t enough; awareness and critical thinking remain your strongest defenses.
How can I protect elderly family members from AI scams?
Older adults are disproportionately targeted by AI scams, especially voice cloning, tech support, and government impersonation scams. Have an open, non-judgmental conversation about these threats — shame prevents many victims from reporting or seeking help. Establish a family safe word for verifying emergency calls. Set up call-blocking and spam-filtering on their phone. Help them install antivirus software with web protection. Consider an identity monitoring service that sends alerts to both them and a trusted family member. Most importantly, create a culture where they feel comfortable calling you before acting on any urgent request — “Call me first” is one of the most effective anti-scam strategies for families.