It’s becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish what’s real and what’s not in the age of Artificial Intelligence. The rise of AI has given scammers powerful tools to trick people, from manipulating images and videos to impersonating voices. It’s crucial for the public to become more savvy at spotting these AI-powered scams.

We recently turned to AI to uncover the top five AI scams that everyone should be cautious of. With the help of Google’s large language model chatbot Gemini, we discovered some alarming information. Gemini warned, “While AI has incredible potential for good, it’s important to be aware that malicious actors can also misuse it for harmful purposes, including scams. By being cautious and staying informed, you can help protect yourself from falling victim to AI-powered scams.”

Here are the five AI scams you should watch out for:

Deepfake technology uses AI to create realistic forgeries by manipulating images, audio, or video. Scammers can impersonate famous people, executives, or even loved ones to deceive victims into sending money or revealing sensitive information. The rise of deepfakes has seen fake videos of famous people like the Pope wearing a puffer jacket circulate online.

AI can convincingly mimic someone’s voice, making it easy for scammers to impersonate friends, family members, or colleagues. They then use these cloned voices to pressure victims into sending money or sharing confidential details. Watch out for voice cloning scams on chat apps like Whatsapp and Signal.

Scammers now use AI to analyze data about potential victims and create highly targeted phishing emails, texts, or social media messages. These messages can be designed to appear trustworthy, increasing the likelihood of someone falling for the scam. If you receive a text claiming to be from your “daughter” or “son” with a “new phone number,” it’s best to call the old number to verify.

AI-powered chatbots are programmed to engage in conversations with victims, gathering information or manipulating them emotionally. These bots can adapt their responses based on the victim’s reactions, making the interaction seem more genuine. Social engineering bots were suspected to have been used during the 2020 United States election campaign.

AI is also being used to create fake websites and investment opportunities that appear legitimate. Scammers might deploy AI-generated news articles or endorsements to make their schemes seem more convincing. Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Especially if it has the face of Martin Lewis on it.

Now, Gemini offers valuable advice on how to avoid falling victim to AI scams in general, particularly those online. Gemini advises, “Be cautious of unexpected requests, especially for money or personal information.

Always verify the identity of anyone contacting you, even if they claim to be familiar. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or attachments. Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication. Stay informed about the latest scam tactics.”

Stay alert, informed, and don’t let AI-powered scams catch you off guard!