How to Spot New AI Scams
Scams have become harder to spot over the past year. The reason is simple: Criminals are now using artificial intelligence (AI), and they’re using it in ways that make traditional red flags virtually disappear. AI scams sound more human, look more familiar, feel more urgent, and appear more trustworthy.
At WoodmenLife, we’re all about helping protect what matters most — your family, your finances, and your future. As you navigate this new high-tech world, Rob LaMagna-Reiter, Vice President & Chief Information Security Officer at WoodmenLife, offers some advice on how to spot AI scams.
AI Has Changed the Rules
For years, spotting a scam was straightforward. You looked for things like:
- Misspelled words
- Grammar mistakes
- Odd formatting
- Strange email addresses
- Robotic voices
Those clues have mostly disappeared.
Today, criminals are using AI tools designed for writing, editing, translating, audio creation, image manipulation, and video generation. These tools aren’t “hacker-only” systems, either — they’re the same publicly available AI platforms that millions of everyday consumers use for creative projects, school assignments, or business tasks.
Here’s the new reality:
- Scammers don’t need to know English well — AI fixes that.
- They don’t need to be good writers — AI writes naturally.
- They don’t need technical skills — AI handles complexity.
- They don’t need to imitate voices — AI clones them.
This combination makes AI scams feel personal, urgent, and shockingly believable.
Be Cautious of Written Messages
One of the most common ways criminals are using AI is to generate emails and text messages that sound credible, natural, and familiar. Instead of the awkward wording we used to see, AI now produces messages that read like they came from a real person.
An example is a text from “your bank” that says: “We noticed a suspicious transaction for $248.19 at Target in Omaha. If this wasn’t you, please verify immediately.” Another could be a message from “your insurance provider” that says: “Your beneficiary details need to be reconfirmed before your next billing cycle. Tap here to review.”
These often work because criminals use AI tools to:
- Rewrite generic phishing text into polished, natural language
- Adjust tone (friendly, urgent, formal, or casual, for example)
- Add personalization based on what they learn from social media
- Generate convincing explanations or context if you reply
To you, the message looks “right.” But it was engineered to get you to act quickly without second‑guessing.
The Rise of Voice‑Cloning
Without question, one of the most alarming developments is AI‑powered voice cloning. With as little as 10 to 20 seconds of recorded speech — something as simple as a social media video, a voicemail greeting, or a recorded meeting — criminals can generate an audio clip that sounds nearly identical to a real person.
Imagine receiving a call from a loved one — maybe a child, a sibling, or a grandchild — and you hear their exact voice say: “I’m in trouble. Please don’t tell anyone. I need money immediately.”
Your brain reacts emotionally before it reacts logically. That’s what criminals are counting on.
Voice cloning is being used in:
- Emergency scams (“I’ve been arrested.” “I’m injured.” “I’ve been in an accident.”)
- CEO or leadership scams (“I need you to process this payment urgently.”)
- Family impersonation
- Fraudulent fundraising
- Romance scams
In many cases, caller ID is spoofed, making the call appear as if it’s coming from the person being impersonated.
Deepfakes: When You Can’t Trust What You’re Seeing
It’s not just voices. AI can now generate:
- Fake videos of people saying things they never said
- Fake photos of people in places they’ve never been
- Fake documents that look professionally produced
- Fake websites that are nearly impossible to distinguish from the real thing
These deepfakes are often used as “proof” in scams involving:
- Investment opportunities
- Product sales
- Charity fundraising
- Identity verification
- Online dating
If a criminal wants to impersonate a public figure, financial expert, or even a WoodmenLife Representative, AI tools make it possible.
How to Protect Yourself
You don’t need to be a technology expert to stay safe from AI scams. Here’s what LaMagna-Reiter tells his family:
- Slow the situation down. If a message or call feels urgent or emotional, take a breath. Criminals want you to panic. Panic makes people act before thinking.
- Verify before responding. Confirm with the person using a known number or email address. Don’t use the contact information in the message.
- Create a family “safe phrase.” Share a private word or phrase only family members know. If someone calls claiming to be a loved one in trouble, ask for it.
- Never share one‑time codes. Criminals often say: “I’ll send you a code to verify your identity. Tell me what it says.” That code is actually for your account.
- Beware of hyperlinks in texts. Go to the website directly — not through a link.
- Treat unexpected requests for money as an automatic red flag. No legitimate business, government agency, or family member requires secrecy or immediate payment through:
- Gift cards
- Cryptocurrency
- Money transfer apps
- Unrecognized invoices
- Lock down your social media. Reduce what criminals can learn about you, like your:
- Birthday
- Pet names
- Family details
- Recent travel
- Photos with identifiable locations
- Use strong, unique passwords, and enable two‑factor authentication. Even if a scammer tricks you once, these safeguards can stop them from getting into your accounts. Where supported, enable passkey capabilities that rely on your local device’s unique login capabilities, such as your fingerprint or face + PIN, as opposed to a password.
Where Do We Go From Here?
AI scams aren’t going away. Technology will continue to reshape the way criminals operate. But the same tools that empower scammers also empower defenders.
At WoodmenLife, we are advancing our own AI capabilities to detect abnormalities faster, respond more precisely, and protect member data more effectively than ever before.
However, security isn’t just an organizational responsibility — it’s also an individual one. Your awareness is the strongest tool you have. AI may help criminals sound more human, but your instincts are stronger than any piece of technology.
Stay vigilant, stay skeptical, and know that you’re not alone. We’ll continue to keep you informed as this landscape evolves.
Written by: Gary Peterson, Senior Copywriter, on behalf of Rob LaMagna-Reiter, Vice President & Chief Information Security Officer
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