AI scams can look and sound like someone you love. Here’s what to do.
As someone who’s spent most of her professional life working in communications, I’ve come to see that what we say and how we say it matters deeply. But in an age of AI-generated misinformation and voice deepfakes, it’s becoming just as important to ask who is saying it.
As the holidays approach, the swirl of emotion, generosity, and distraction creates the perfect environment for digital deception. It’s easy to assume we’d never fall for a scam, but the truth is, scams today are no longer clumsy or obvious.
Common scams of 2025 include AI-powered voice impersonations of loved ones in distress, imposter scams pretending to be government agents or tech support, and robocalls offering fraudulent loans, insurance, or demanding urgent payment for fake threats like unpaid tolls. (1)
Scammers don’t just want your information. They want your attention, your fear, and your rush to respond. They rely on stress and urgency to make you act before you think. Which means that the simplest, most human act—pausing—has become a powerful form of protection.
You Can’t Trust Everything You See or Hear
The most terrifying scams today use AI-generated voices to mimic loved ones in distress. The call may look like it’s coming directly from them, mimicking their contact photo and other information in your phone. The caller may claim your child or spouse has been kidnapped or is in danger, even letting you “hear” them on the line. (2)
I cannot state this clearly enough: Hang. Up. The. Phone. Call your person. Directly.
Scammers depend on panic to cloud your judgment. Staying calm and verifying independently can stop them cold.
And here’s something worth doing before you ever get a call like that: have the talk now. Talk with your family, especially older relatives, about what to do if they ever receive a frightening or urgent call. Let them know:
- If something sounds wrong or scary—pause.
- Don’t follow instructions from the caller.
- Hang up, and call me first by dialing my number directly in your phone. Don’t use the last call feature to find my number.
- If I don’t answer, try texting. Call other family members. If you still can’t reach me, then it might be time to call the authorities or 911.
A simple plan, spoken ahead of time, can protect your loved ones when it matters most.
Three Ways to Stay Digitally Safe This Season:
- Pause Before You Respond. Urgent messages, emotional pleas, or sudden financial requests are designed to hijack your calm. Take a breath before reacting.
- Verify Independently. Never trust caller ID or links in an unexpected email or text. Hang up, open a new browser, and contact the person or organization directly using a verified source.
- Protect What You Share. Never provide personal details or payment information to someone who reached out to you unexpectedly, whether it’s by phone, text, or email.
AI itself isn’t the enemy. I think it’s a fantastic tool that needs to be used responsibly, and I am deeply concerned about its environmental impacts. The same can be said of every technology advance throughout our history (fossil fuels, anyone?). Misinformation can now spread faster than truth, and discernment is the skill that protects us most.
The holidays should bring connection, not chaos. Pause before you click, and remember to stay grounded in what’s real: conversation, care, and calm.
Warmly,
P.S. – If you ever feel unsure whether something you’ve seen or heard is real, take a moment to check it. I used AmICredible to fact-check several claims about AI scams cited in this blog. See the credibility reports here (1) and here (2)
AmICredible is not a sponsor of this message. It’s just a tool I use that I find helpful, and I wanted to share it.
