A Senior's Practical Guide to AI Scams in 2025

As technology moves forward, it can sometimes feel like the world is changing too fast. Artificial intelligence, or AI, is everywhere now, and while it offers many benefits, it also gives scammers new tools. If you’re feeling concerned about AI scams, you are taking the right first step toward protecting yourself. This guide will explain these new scams in simple terms and give you practical, easy-to-follow advice to stay safe online.

What is AI and Why Do Scammers Use It?

Think of Artificial Intelligence as a very advanced computer program that can learn, reason, and create things on its own, almost like a person. It can write an email, create a picture, or even imitate someone’s voice. This is why scammers love it. In the past, you could often spot a scam from bad grammar or a strange-sounding request. AI helps criminals create scams that are incredibly realistic and much harder to detect. They use it to sound more convincing, look more legitimate, and reach more people than ever before. But by knowing what to look for, you can stay one step ahead.

Top AI Scams to Watch For

Scammers are creative, but they often use the same basic tricks dressed up in new technology. Here are the most common AI-powered scams targeting seniors today and what you can do about them.

The AI Voice Cloning Scam

This is a high-tech version of the classic “grandparent scam.” It is one of the most convincing and frightening scams out there.

  • How it Works: A scammer takes a small sample of your loved one’s voice, perhaps from a video posted on Facebook or even a voicemail message. They use AI software to create a perfect clone of that voice. They then call you, and you hear what sounds exactly like your grandchild or child in a state of panic.
  • The Scenario: The call will be urgent. The “loved one” will say they are in trouble. They might claim they’ve been in a car accident, arrested, or are in a hospital in another city. They will beg you not to tell their parents and will ask you to send money immediately via wire transfer, gift cards, or a payment app like Zelle. The urgency is designed to make you act before you can think.
  • What to Watch For:
    • An unexpected call depicting a crisis or emergency.
    • A strong request for secrecy: “Please don’t tell Mom and Dad, they’ll be so mad.”
    • A demand for immediate payment through unusual methods. Legitimate organizations will not ask for payment in Apple or Target gift cards.
  • Your Practical Defense:
    1. Hang Up. Even if it sounds real, hang up the phone.
    2. Call Back. Immediately call your loved one on the phone number you know is theirs. Do not use the number that called you. If they don’t answer, call another family member to verify the story.
    3. Create a Safe Word. Establish a secret code word or phrase with your close family members. If you get a suspicious call, ask for the safe word. A scammer will not know it.

AI-Powered Phishing Emails and Texts

Phishing is when scammers try to trick you into giving them your personal information, like passwords or bank details. AI has made these messages nearly flawless.

  • How it Works: Scammers use AI to write perfectly worded, personalized emails and text messages. These messages can look exactly like they came from your bank, a store like Amazon or Walmart, or a government agency like the IRS or Social Security Administration.
  • The Scenario: You might get a text message saying there’s a problem with a recent package delivery, with a link to “track your shipment.” Or you could get an email from what looks like your bank, claiming there has been a “suspicious login” on your account and you must click a link to verify your identity.
  • What to Watch For:
    • Any message that asks you to click a link to log in, update your account, or confirm personal information.
    • A sense of urgency, such as “your account will be suspended if you don’t act now.”
    • An offer that seems too good to be true, like winning a prize for a contest you never entered.
  • Your Practical Defense:
    1. Don’t Click the Link. This is the most important rule.
    2. Go Directly to the Source. If you get an email from your bank, close the email. Open your computer’s web browser and type in your bank’s official website address yourself, or use the official mobile app. You can see if there are any real alerts there.
    3. Check the Sender’s Email Address. Often, the email address will be a strange jumble of letters and numbers, not the official company address.

AI-Generated Fake Videos and Photos (Deepfakes)

This technology allows scammers to create realistic videos and images of people doing or saying things they never actually did.

  • How it Works: AI analyzes thousands of images of a person to create a digital model. Scammers can then manipulate this model to create a new video. They might use it to create a fake video of a celebrity endorsing a risky investment or a “miracle” health product.
  • The Scenario: You see a video on social media of a trusted public figure or a famous doctor promoting a new supplement that promises impossible results. Or a scammer might use this technology in a romance scam, creating a short video to “prove” they are who they say they are.
  • What to Watch For:
    • Unnatural facial movements, strange blinking patterns, or a voice that doesn’t quite match the person’s lips.
    • Promises of guaranteed high returns on investments or miracle cures.
    • Pressure to buy or invest right away.
  • Your Practical Defense:
    1. Be Skeptical of Online Endorsements. Just because you see a video doesn’t mean it’s real. Search for information about the product or investment from trusted, independent sources.
    2. Trust Reputable Sources. Get your health advice from your doctor and financial advice from a certified financial advisor, not from a social media video.

Your Simple 4-Step Plan for Online Safety

You don’t need to be a technology expert to be safe. Just follow these simple rules.

  1. Pause Before You Act. Scammers want you to feel rushed and emotional. The single most powerful thing you can do is take a deep breath and pause. A real emergency can wait five minutes while you think.
  2. Verify Independently. Never trust the information given to you in a surprise call, text, or email. Use a phone number or website address that you know is legitimate to make contact.
  3. Protect Your Personal Information. Treat your passwords, bank account numbers, and Social Security number like cash. Never give them out in response to an unexpected request.
  4. Trust Your Instincts. If a situation feels strange or a deal seems too good to be true, it almost always is. It is always okay to say no, hang up the phone, or delete the message.

By learning about these new tactics and sticking to these basic safety rules, you can navigate the digital world with confidence and security.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I think I’ve already been scammed? If you believe you have fallen victim to a scam, do not be ashamed. These scams are designed to fool anyone. Report it immediately to your local police, your bank (if financial information was shared), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Acting quickly can help limit the damage.

Is all AI dangerous? Absolutely not. AI is a tool, and like any tool, it can be used for good or bad. AI powers helpful things you may already use, like GPS navigation apps (like Google Maps), voice assistants (like Alexa or Siri), and spam filters for your email. The key is to be aware of how it can be used negatively.

How can I talk to my family about these scams without worrying them? A great approach is to frame it as a team effort. You can say something like, “I was reading about these new AI scams and I think it would be a good idea for us all to have a plan. Let’s agree on a family safe word.” This makes it a proactive conversation about safety rather than a source of fear.