AI is making scams more convincing than ever. From fake voices that sound just like loved ones to realistic videos and polished emails, it can be harder than ever to tell what’s real.
Think you can spot the red flags? Test your scam-spotting skills with this quick quiz! Keep track of your answers (or make a mental note 📝) to see how you score at the end.
1. The “family emergency” phone call 📞
You get a call from someone who sounds exactly like your grandchild. They’re crying and say they’ve been in an accident and need money immediately.
What should you do?
A. Send the money right away.
B. Hang up and call your grandchild (or another family member) using a number you already know.
C. Ask them to tell you their birthday.
2. The urgent video message 🎥
You receive a video from your boss asking you to urgently purchase gift cards for a client. The person looks and sounds exactly like your boss.
What’s the biggest red flag?
A. The video quality looks slightly unusual.
B. Your boss is asking for an unusual favor over video instead of your normal communication channel.
C. They have a different background then normal.
3. The “perfect” email ✉️
You receive an email from your bank. It’s professionally written, has no spelling mistakes, includes the correct logo, and sounds just like previous emails you’ve received.
What should you do?
A. Trust it because it looks professional.
B. Click the link to check your account.
C. Go directly to your bank’s website or app instead of using the email link.
4. The celebrity investment opportunity 🤖
While scrolling social media, you see a video of a well-known financial expert promoting an investment that promises guaranteed returns.
What’s the safest assumption?
A. It’s probably real because it’s a video.
B. It could be an AI-generated deepfake.
C. It’s safe if lots of people commented on it.
5. The message from a friend 💬
A friend sends you a message asking to borrow money. The writing sounds a little different than usual, and they ask you to send money through a payment app right away.
What should you do?
A. Send the money because you trust your friend.
B. Call or text your friend using the phone number you already have to confirm they sent the message.
C. Reply in the same chat asking if it’s really them.
Bonus: AI scam myth or fact? 🤔
Which statement is FALSE?
A. AI can clone voices.
B. AI can generate fake videos of real people.
C. AI-generated scams always contain obvious spelling and grammar mistakes.
📋 Answer guide
- B ✅
Why: Criminals can use AI to clone someone’s voice using just a few seconds of audio from social media or videos. Even if the voice sounds real, always verify through a trusted phone number before sending money. - B ✅
Why: AI-generated videos, also called deepfakes, are becoming increasingly realistic. If someone asks for money or gift cards in an unexpected way, verify the request through another trusted method before taking action. - C ✅
Why: AI helps scammers create convincing emails with perfect grammar and realistic branding. Even if an email looks legitimate, it’s safest to access your account through your bank’s official website or app. - B ✅
Why: AI can create realistic videos of celebrities and public figures saying things they never actually said. If an investment sounds too good to be true, it probably is. - B ✅
Why: AI can imitate someone’s writing style, and scammers sometimes take over social media or messaging accounts. Always verify unexpected money requests through a different communication method.
Bonus: C ✅
Why: AI-generated scams are often polished and error-free. Poor grammar is no longer a reliable warning sign.
🎯 How did you do?
5–6 correct: 🛡️ AI Scam Spotter
You know how AI is changing scams and understand the importance of slowing down and verifying unexpected requests. Keep it up!
3–4 correct: 👀 You’re on the right track
You spotted many of the warning signs, but AI is making scams more convincing than ever. A quick pause before acting can make all the difference.
0–2 correct: 🚨 Time for a refresher
Don’t worry—these scams are designed to fool people. The good news is that a few simple habits can dramatically reduce your risk.
📝 Five habits that can protect you from AI scams
- ⏸️ Pause before acting on urgent requests.
- 📞 Verify requests using a trusted phone number or another communication method.
- 🔗 Go directly to websites or apps instead of clicking unexpected links.
- 🎥 Be skeptical of videos, voice messages, and phone calls asking for money—even if they sound familiar.
- 🤔 If something feels urgent, emotional, or too good to be true, take a moment to double-check before responding.
The bottom line
AI has made scams more convincing, but it hasn’t changed the best way to protect yourself. The strongest defense isn’t spotting every fake—it’s slowing down, verifying requests through a trusted source, and refusing to let urgency make decisions for you.
Want to learn more? Check out our other articles on avoiding financial scams, protecting yourself from identity theft, and what to do if you’ve already been targeted by a scam.
