AI Scams Grow: How to Spot and Stop Them
USASat Apr 11 2026
People are losing a lot of money to tricks that use smart computer programs. Scammers send fake calls from banks, pretend the IRS is contacting you, or post job ads that never pay. They use new tools that can copy voices and make pictures look real, so it feels like the message comes from a trusted source.
Because of these tricks, Americans have lost more than $12 billion in recent years. A large part of that comes from fake investments and job offers that ask for money up front, but the work never happens.
If you receive an unexpected email or phone call that says “you must act now, ” stop and think. Don’t give money, passwords or personal details to anyone who isn’t a confirmed representative of your bank or government agency.
One way to stay safe is to add an extra step before you log in, called two‑factor authentication. It means you need a second piece of proof—like a text message code—to open your account, even if someone knows your password.
Online shopping can also be risky. Always buy from sites that look trustworthy and check that the web address starts with “https. ” Good browsers can block phishing links and dangerous ads, so keep your security settings turned on.
Recently a pastor’s social media account was hijacked. The thief used a video of him and made it look like he was endorsing cryptocurrency, hoping his followers would invest. The pastor said no one fell for it, but many people do get tricked by similar schemes.
The government’s consumer protection office says fraud has jumped to more than $5 billion in investment scams alone. They also report that job scams cost about $750 million because people pay for equipment or training that never arrives.
If a message looks urgent, ask yourself if it’s really from the bank or IRS, or if it’s a spam message pretending to be. Call your bank or tax office with the number on their official website, not the one in the message.
Reclaiming a hacked account can take time, but public attention and official help often speed up the process. In this case a state senator’s involvement helped the pastor get his account back.
