Fall can bring seasonal shopping, travel plans, charitable giving, and holiday preparations. Unfortunately, it can also give scammers more opportunities to target people with convincing messages and urgent requests for money. Artificial intelligence is making some of these schemes harder to recognize. Scammers can use AI to imitate familiar voices, create realistic images, write polished messages, and personalize their pitches. Even people who are careful about suspicious emails and phone calls can be caught off guard.
Retirees may face particular risks when a scam targets their savings, Social Security benefits, Medicare information, or relationships with family members. Here are some AI-enabled scams to watch for this fall and how to protect yourself!
A Family Emergency Call With a Familiar Voice
Imagine receiving a phone call from someone who sounds exactly like your grandchild. They claim to have been in an accident, to have lost their wallet, or to have landed in legal trouble and urgently need money. AI voice-cloning tools can help scammers imitate a person’s voice using audio recordings. The caller may sound distressed and insist that there’s no time to explain everything, making it difficult to think clearly. Before sending money, hang up and contact your family member using a phone number you already know. If the person can’t be reached, try another trusted relative. Never rely on a familiar-sounding voice alone to confirm an emergency is real.
Fake Medicare or Social Security Calls
Scammers may use AI to make phone conversations sound more natural and convincing. A caller might claim to represent Medicare or the Social Security Administration and say there’s a problem with your benefits, an account update that must be completed, or a payment you need to receive. The caller may know basic personal details or use official-sounding language to gain your trust. They might then ask for your Social Security number, Medicare information, banking details, or a verification code.
Be suspicious of unexpected calls that pressure you to provide sensitive information or pay a fee to protect your benefits. Hang up and contact the agency through an official website or a trusted phone number. Caller ID alone isn’t proof that a call is legitimate.
AI-Generated Investment Opportunities
Retirees looking to supplement their income may encounter investment pitches featuring realistic videos, professional-looking websites, or convincing testimonials. AI can help scammers create these materials and impersonate financial experts or public figures. A fraudulent pitch might promise unusually high returns with little risk, claim that an opportunity is available for only a short time, or direct you to an unfamiliar investment platform. Polished presentations can make these offers appear more credible than they really are. Before investing, independently research the company and the people promoting it. Check relevant registrations through official regulatory resources, and be wary of guaranteed returns or pressure to transfer money quickly. Never base an investment decision solely on a video, online testimonial, or recommendation from someone you haven’t independently verified.
Fake Online Shopping Deals for the Holidays
As holiday shopping begins, scammers may use AI to create realistic product photos, persuasive advertisements, convincing reviews, and professional-looking online stores. A website might advertise discounted electronics, gifts, home goods, or other popular products at prices that seem too good to pass up. After payment, the merchandise may never arrive, or the seller may collect personal and financial information.
Before ordering, research the seller outside the advertisement and check the website address carefully. Look for independent reviews, clear return policies, and secure payment options. Be cautious of unfamiliar stores offering dramatic discounts or demanding payment through methods that are difficult to reverse.
Fake Charity Appeals After a Disaster
Fall can bring severe storms and other emergencies, prompting people to donate to relief efforts. Scammers may take advantage of this generosity by creating fake charity websites, emotionally compelling messages, or AI-generated images that appear to show people in need. Some may impersonate established charities or claim that donations must be made immediately to reach victims. A convincing photo or heartfelt story doesn’t establish that an organization is genuine. Before donating, independently research the charity and verify its official website and contact details. In the United States, resources such as the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search can help you check an organization’s tax-exempt status. Avoid donating through links in unexpected messages until you’ve confirmed where they lead.
Deepfake Video Calls From Someone You Trust
AI-generated video can be used to impersonate a relative, financial professional, business contact, or other familiar person. A scammer might appear on a video call and ask you to transfer money, share confidential information, or help with an urgent financial problem. Seeing a face on screen can make a request feel more trustworthy, but video isn’t always reliable proof of identity. Scammers may use manipulated footage or other deceptive techniques to make an impersonation more convincing. If a video call includes an unusual financial request, pause before acting. Contact the person through a separate, previously verified channel, such as a known phone number. For larger transactions, consider confirming the request in person or through an established verification process.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
Leave a Reply