5 common AI scams and how to spot them

Here are five common AI scams that are prevalent today, along with some tips on how to spot them.

A deepfake is a video, picture, or audio clip that mimics a person’s image, voice, and facial features to a highly accurate degree. You may have seen deepfake technology highlighted in news stories or encountered more light-hearted examples in your social media feeds.

Fraudsters might use deepfakes to impersonate influential people in an attempt to deliberately mislead people.

For example, back in August 2023, a deepfake of Martin Lewis went “live” from his home, endorsing an investment scheme by Elon Musk.

According to the BBC, when people responded to the ad, they were put in touch with fake financial advisers and told to transfer money into a digital bank account. One unfortunate individual who fell victim to this scam spent a total of £75,000, much of which he is still trying to recoup.

• Consider whether the content is consistent with what you know of the person being imitated.
• Look for unnatural blinking or facial movements.
• Check for inconsistencies with lighting or shadows.
• Examine the background for strange blurring or distortions.
• Listen for robotic or other computer-generated sounds in the audio.
• Check the official channels of the person being imitated.

With traditional phishing scams, you receive a deceptive email or SMS that, at first glance, appears to be from a legitimate source. The purpose of a phishing email is to direct you to a fake website or trick you into installing malicious software on your device, primarily to collect your sensitive information.

Using AI, fraudsters can make their emails even more convincing and personalised by accessing vast amounts of data online. These emails can then reference your recent purchases, particular hobbies, or even major life events, making the emails appear legitimate.

• Consider the timing of the email – were you expecting it?
• Check the sender’s email address for subtle misspellings, unexpected characters, or unusual domain names.
• Hover over links without clicking them to see the actual URL. If it doesn’t match the displayed text, it might be a scam.
• Check for grammar and spelling errors – AI can still make mistakes.
• Be suspicious of any email that requests personal information.
• Be wary of emails that create a sense of urgency.

Voice cloning scams use AI to mimic someone’s voice, often to trick individuals out of their sensitive information or hard-earned money. With voice cloning you may receive a voice note from the “person” or even a phone call, which can make it challenging to distinguish fact from fiction.

These scammers clone a family member, friend, or authority figure’s voice to create a sense of realism and manufacture an urgent or distressing situation.

For example, a scammer might pose as a person’s grandchild, claiming that they urgently need money. When you’re concerned about family, you may not immediately consider the chances of it being a scam.

• If you receive a suspicious call, ask personal questions that only the genuine person would know the answer to.
• Listen for robotic or unnatural qualities in the voice.
• Be suspicious of any call requesting urgent money transfers.
• Hang up, then contact the person directly.

In some scams, fraudsters might send a phishing email or set up online ads promoting a website. These might discuss high-return investment opportunities or prize giveaways – and can resemble legitimate brands.

These ads then lead to fake, AI-generated websites where the visitor is prompted to enter their personal information or make a purchase. This can lead to identity theft or financial fraud.

Often, these sites are so realistic that victims don’t realise they’ve been scammed until it’s too late.

• Check the website’s URL for misspellings or unusual extensions.
• Look for missing or inconsistent contact information.
• Be wary of sites with poor grammar or spelling.
• Verify the site’s security certificate by looking for the padlock icon in the address bar.
• Use a search engine to verify the site’s legitimacy.

Social media platforms are rife with misinformation and scammers often exploit this by spreading false financial news and offering fraudulent financial advice or opportunities.

Some scammers may impersonate a business, brand, or influencer to make you believe you’re communicating with a real person.

With easy access to information, images, and branding online, fraudsters can make their impersonations very convincing. If possible, confirm the information through a second communication channel before acting on anything suspicious.

• Be sceptical of financial advice coming from an unknown source or unverified accounts.
• Verify information by exploring reputable financial news sources, or relevant registers (for example, the FCA register of firms and individuals).
• Look for signs of bot activity, such as repetitive posts or generic comments.
• Be wary of accounts promising guaranteed or too good to be true returns.

If you believe you have fallen victim to a scam, it’s important to act quickly.

The first step is to contact Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. They will record the crime, attempt to help you reclaim lost funds, and use your experience to protect others against similar criminal activity.

If the scam involved debit or credit cards, online banking, or cheques, get in touch with your bank or financial provider as soon as possible. Let them know what’s happened so they can freeze the affected account.

If you feel threatened or are in danger, call the police.

If you hear from someone claiming to represent Amber River, and you’re unsure if it’s genuine, please contact us using the details provided on our website. Be wary of requests that pressure you to take immediate action, transfer money quickly or use unusual payment methods – these are likely to be a scam. We do not advise on cryptocurrencies or promote trading platforms, and we only operate within the UK.

Although AI has made scammers more sophisticated, staying alert and vigilant can help you protect yourself and your hard-earned wealth.