🚩 Red flags that a communication could be an AI scam may include:
- Unusual requests for personal information: Be cautious if someone contacts you out of the blue and asks for sensitive details, like your Social Security number or bank account information.
- Outdated content: Many AI tools and bots are trained on limited data sets, which causes them to generate text that contains stale information.
- Unnatural language: Technology that uses generative AI often produces language that sounds generic or just slightly "off." You might notice things like odd paragraph structures, nonsensical sentences, and repetitive use of certain words and phrases.
- High-pressure pitches: Fraudulent ads and scam emails are designed to create a sense of urgency, pressuring you to make quick decisions without thinking it through.
- Requests for payment in unconventional forms: Be suspicious if someone asks for payment in gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. These payment methods are usually untraceable, which is why they’re often used by scammers.
- Visual or audio inconsistencies: Look for subtle oddities in language, tone, or visual quality that may point to the use of deepfake technology—especially in videos, phone calls, and recorded messages.