Artificial Intelligence has totally overhauled how we work, communicate, and navigate online.
But this same technology has also made it possible for scammers to conjure up some truly convincing new tricks.
Recent research showed that 68% of Americans say that AI will make online scams more frequent. As we stumble into 2026, AI-powered scams have become more sophisticated and way more difficult to spot than ever. This guide gives you the lowdown on how AI scams work, what tricks the scammers are playing, and how you can protect yourself in 2026.
When you’re eyeballing a dodgy website that might be part of a scam, TrustRacer’s checker is your friend. The tool quickly gives you a read on the red flags to watch out for – like how long it’s been around (suspicious sites are often new) and whether it’s turned up on any blacklists for phishing or malware.
If a domain has been reported for suspicious activity, it typically appears on known blacklists that TrustRacer monitors.
What Are AI Scams and Why Do They Work So Well?
Artificial intelligence fraud uses AI technology and machine learning to make them look and sound 100% convincing. The AI-powered cons analyze what you’re putting out there online, learn your speech patterns, and create synthetic media that sounds and looks completely real.
ChatGPT, Claude, and other generative AI tools can knock up a believable text in seconds. Voice-cloning tech can rip off someone’s voice after just a few seconds of audio. Deepfake software can create convincing videos of people saying things they never said.
AI scams scale up and target loads of people at the same time – and make it all feel personal. A single scammer can fire off thousands of targeted attacks. AI tools crawl social media, dig up what you’ve posted and what you’re connected to, and then craft messages designed to fool you off the bat using your own information against you.
Common AI Scam Tactics You Need to Know
AI voice scams & phone calls
AI voice scams use voice-cloning technology to make you think it’s someone you know or trust. They only need a short audio clip from social media or a voicemail.
AI phone scams follow predictable patterns. You receive an urgent call from what sounds exactly like your child, parent, or close friend claiming to be in trouble. They need money immediately. Sometimes, some other bloke gets on the line pretending to be a police officer, doctor, or lawyer, pressuring you to wire cash or buy gift cards.
AI video scams and deepfakes
AI deepfake scams use synthetic video and audio to create footage of real people doing or saying things they never did. The global rise in deepfake fraud cases has risen sharply in many countries around the world over the past year alone.
You may have come across such AI video scams and not even noticed. These videos often have a recognizable style: celebrities or public figures promote dodgy investments in cryptocurrency or announce special tax breaks. Remember? Yes, the video seemed very convincing because artificial intelligence analyzed thousands of real clips to perfectly imitate the appearance, voice, and mannerisms of famous people.
Scammers also target businesses with deepfake video calls, impersonating executives during live video conferences to request urgent wire transfers or sensitive information.
AI text scams & phishing
These AI-powered phishing scams plug into your digital footprint and use the data to create super-personalized messages. They make a pass through your LinkedIn profile, recent purchases, and social media posts to craft messages that reference specific details about your life.
AI generates grammatically perfect text that matches the tone and style of legitimate communications from banks, retailers, or government agencies. They send you to fake websites that look identical to the real ones, to nick your login details or financial info.
AI impersonator scams
AI impersonation scams combine different tricks to make you think it’s someone you trust – chatbots posing as customer support, AI-generated dating profiles, or some old-school social engineering.
A “romantic interest” might take months to build a relationship, eventually requesting money. A “company executive” might have a normal business communication before making a fraudulent request. The AI adapts its responses based on your reactions, making the deception harder to detect.
AI crypto scams and investment fraud
AI crypto scams use deepfake technology, fake trading platforms, and synthetic identities to steal money. These schemes promise guaranteed returns, use celebrity endorsements (usually deepfakes), and create elaborate fake websites.
A deepfake video of a respected investor promotes a “limited time” cryptocurrency opportunity. The website shows impressive (but fake) performance data. You invest, and the money is stolen, or you’re slowly drained through a platform that appears legit until you try to withdraw funds.
How to Protect Yourself from AI Scams in 2026
Now, we’re going to explain how to protect yourself from AI scams effectively.
Limit your digital footprint
Scammers often use social media to gather information to personalize their attacks. Take a look at your social media account settings and share only with people you trust. Avoid posting audio or video about your personal life, job, or your family – this can be used to create fake versions of you.
Set up strong authentication
Turn on 2-factor authentication (2FA) on important accounts: bank, email, work, social media, and that type of thing. Even if a scammer gets your password, with 2FA, they’ll need a code sent to your phone. Use strong, unique passwords for each account. Password managers can help by generating and storing complex passwords.
Create a family code word
Come up with a secret word or code phrase that only your family knows. If someone calls claiming to be a family member in trouble, ask them to say the code word. This stops most AI-powered voice scams.
Take your time and question everything
Your worst enemy when dealing with scammers is making quick decisions under emotional pressure. When you get a surprise call asking for money, personal info, or anything that “needs to be done right away,” take your time and think critically. Ask yourself: Does this request make sense? Is this how these people (who the scammers are pretending to be) usually contact/communicate with me?
Use security tools and verification services
- Install reliable antivirus software and update it regularly.
- Use ad blockers and anti-phishing extensions for browsers.
- When receiving suspicious links or offers, verify the legitimacy of the website before interacting with it.
Keep learning
Both artificial intelligence and the scams that use it are always changing. Make it a habit to keep up with cybersecurity news, learn more about staying safe online, and share what you learn with your family and friends. The more you understand about how scams work, the better equipped you are to recognize and avoid them.
What to Do If You’re Targeted by an AI Scam
Stop engaging now
If you realize you’re talking to a scammer, stop all communication. Hang up. Don’t reply to emails or messages. Don’t click any links. Every interaction gives scammers more data to use against you.
Verify through trusted channels
Contact the person or organization using the contact info you already have and trust. Don’t use the phone number, email address, or website from the suspicious communication. Call your family member’s cell phone directly. Log in to your bank account through the official app or website you’ve used before.
Document everything
- Take screenshots of messages, emails, or websites.
- Record phone numbers that called you.
- Save any audio or video you received.
- Note dates, times, and details of all interactions while fresh in your memory.
- Write down what the scammer said, what they asked for, and any information you may have provided.
Report the scam
Report AI scams to multiple authorities:
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC tracks scams and has resources for victims.
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). The FBI investigates large-scale fraud operations.
- Your local police department. File a police report, especially if you lost money.
- Your financial institution. Contact your bank or credit card company immediately if you’ve provided financial information or sent money. They may be able to reverse transactions or protect your accounts.
- The platform where it happened. Report scam accounts where you encountered the fraud.
Take protective measures
If you gave personal or financial info:
- Change passwords on all accounts.
- Monitor your financial accounts daily for suspicious activity.
- Place a fraud alert on your credit reports.
- Consider a credit freeze.
- Check your credit reports for unknown accounts or inquiries.
- Scan your devices for malware if you clicked suspicious links or downloaded attachments.
A few final words
The way AI is developing (along with the number of modernized, improved scams) can be frightening. But in reality, protecting yourself from AI scams is quite simple if you follow our tips in this guide. The main thing to remember is that when something seems too good to be true, unclear, urgent, or suspicious, listen to your instincts, don’t rush into anything, and verify the information. A few minutes spent double-checking can save you from financial and other losses.
And one more thing: AI fraud is most effective when people are unaware. So keep up with the latest news in this area, use security measures at all times, and share your knowledge with family and friends.
