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(From the Financial Literacy Blog) – With artificial intelligence (AI) becoming increasingly accessible, many people are experiencing the ways in which it is revolutionizing our day-to-day lives. AI can automate mundane tasks, reduce human error, and help generate new ideas––making us more efficient, productive, and creative. However, as AI grows in popularity, the more it is utilized by those with malicious intent. Fraudsters and scammers are ever evolving and deceptively clever in their attempts to obtain your money and personal information, and AI is a powerful tool now at their disposal. Here are four ways you can safeguard yourself against AI fraud and scams:
Protect Your Devices and Personal Information
AI-powered malware and ransomware attacks are on the rise, targeting everything from smartphones to residential or business networks. These attacks often exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software or trick users into downloading malicious apps or files that give the attacker access to sensitive data.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Keep software up to date: Regularly update your operating system, apps, and security software to patch any vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cybercriminals.
- Use strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts, and consider using a password manager to keep track of them.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities, such as accessing online banking.
Be Wary of Potential AI-Generated Profiles
Scammers are using AI to create fake online identities on social media, dating apps, and even professional networks, such as LinkedIn. These AI-generated profiles often look convincing, with realistic photos and backgrounds that make it hard to tell them apart from real people. Once the scammer gains your trust, they may attempt to trick you into sending money or sharing personal details.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Reverse image search: Use tools like Google Reverse Image Search to check if the profile pictures being used are stolen or widely circulated online.
- Be cautious about oversharing: If you’re engaging with someone online, avoid sharing too much personal information until you’re certain they are who they claim to be.
- Look for red flags: AI-generated profiles may exhibit unusual patterns in their behavior, such as responding too quickly or providing overly generic or scripted replies.
Verify Chatbot Validity
AI-powered chatbots are becoming more common in customer service, but they are also being used by scammers to impersonate companies and engage with victims. These chatbots can be very convincing––fooling people into giving sensitive information like credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, or login credentials.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Verify the source: If you’re contacted by a chatbot, double-check whether the communication is legitimate. Look for official communication channels or reach out directly to the company through known methods.
- Don’t share sensitive information in the chat unless you’re sure you’re interacting with a secure and trusted source.
- Check the website’s URL: Scammers often create fake websites with URLs that look similar to legitimate ones but with subtle misspellings or unusual domain names.
Know That AI Tools Have Limitations
- Don’t rely on “too good to be true” AI services: Be cautious of services that claim to manage investments or cryptocurrency trades entirely on your behalf. Genuine AI tools require human oversight, and unregulated “AI-based trading” is highly risky.
The Bottom Line
AI is an incredible technology, but like any tool, it can be misused by fraudsters and scammers to exploit people’s trust. By staying informed, being cautious, and doing your due diligence, you can avoid losing money or other sensitive personal information to these schemes.