🚨 Scam Alerts

AI has made scams cheaper, faster, and scarier. Here's what's going around right now — and how to stop it.

The test

The 60-Second Scam Check

  1. Hang up & call back. Use a number YOU already have for the person or company — never one the caller gives you. A cloned voice can't answer the real phone.
  2. Check how they want money. Gift cards, crypto, wire transfers, payment apps to strangers = scam. Full stop. No legitimate business or government agency works this way.
  3. Slow down on purpose. Urgency ("act now," "don't tell anyone," "your account will be closed in 1 hour") is the scammer's strongest weapon. Real emergencies survive a callback.

If any single answer fails → it's a scam. You lose nothing by hanging up; you can lose everything by staying on the line.

Voice cloning

The "Grandparent Scam" is back — with AI voices

Active alert · Updated regularly

A caller sounds exactly like your grandchild (or child) — scared, crying, asking for bail money. The voice may be cloned from just seconds of video posted online.

Your move: hang up, call the person directly on their known number. Ask a "safe word" question only the real person knows.

Deepfake video

Fake celebrity endorsements & "giveaway" livestreams

Active alert

AI-generated videos of trusted figures promising crypto returns or giveaway winnings. The video looks real because the face and voice ARE cloned from real footage.

Your move: no celebrity gives away money to people who first send a "small fee." Ever. Verify on the celebrity's official account.

Phishing

Perfectly written emails are now a warning sign

Active alert

The old advice was "watch for typos." AI writes flawless emails now — including fake HR offers, delivery notices, and bank alerts with cloned logos.

Your move: don't click links in unexpected emails. Go to the website yourself by typing its address.

Job scams

"Easy work-from-home" jobs that pay you to launder money

Recurring alert

AI-written job offers with fast interviews and instant acceptance, then a "mistaken overpayment" check they ask you to return — or packages to reship.

Your move: never deposit checks from unknown employers, never reship packages, verify the company on its official site.

Report a scam

In the US: report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. If money was already sent, contact your bank immediately — speed matters — then file a police report.