Artificial Intelligence Makes Scammers Smarter – Unfortunately
By Mike Kansgen, Director of Information Technology
GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. - (October 1, 2026) There was a time when spotting an online scam wasn’t all that difficult. The email might have been filled with misspelled words, terrible grammar, strange formatting, and a heartfelt plea from a foreign prince who desperately needed your help moving $37 million out of his country.
Unfortunately, those days are behind us. “The prince” has apparently taken some writing classes.
The bad guys have discovered Artificial Intelligence (AI), and it has made their scams much more convincing. AI can write professional emails, imitate voices, create realistic photographs and videos, and help criminals research their victims. The scammer doesn’t necessarily sound like a scammer anymore.
That means we need to change the way we protect ourselves. Instead of asking, “Does this look real?” we need to start asking, “How can I prove this is real?”
Here are five things everyone should know about staying safe in the AI era.
1. Bad Grammar Isn’t Going to Save You Anymore
For years, one of the easiest ways to spot a phishing email was the horrible writing: “Dear Valued Costumer. Your account has experiencing security problems. Kindly clicking here immediately.”
Delete!
AI produces a perfectly written email in seconds. The bad guys can tell an AI system to write convincing emails from your bank, your boss, Amazon, Microsoft, or just about anyone. It can be polite, professional, urgent. So don’t assume an email is legitimate simply because it looks professional. If your bank sends you an alarming message, don’t click the link in the email. Open your bank’s app or type the bank’s website address into your browser. If “Microsoft” says there is
a problem with your account, go directly to Microsoft.
Go around the message instead of through it.
That’s a simple habit that can stop a surprisingly sophisticated scam.
2. “But It Sounded Just Like Her!”
This is where things start to get creepy.
AI can imitate someone’s voice using surprisingly small samples of the person’s speech. And where could a bad guy possibly find recordings of someone’s voice? Facebook. TikTok. Instagram. YouTube. Even voicemail greetings. Anywhere on the internet.
Imagine getting a frantic phone call: “Grandma, I’ve been in an accident. Please don’t tell Mom and Dad. I need $2,000 right now.” The voice sounds like your grandson. Unfortunately, hearing is no longer believing.
If someone you know calls asking for money, passwords, account information, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or anything else unusual, Hang up and call that person using a phone number you already know. Don’t use the number the caller gives you.
If it’s really your grandson, he’ll answer the number you know for him. And if he isn’t in jail, you can give him a hard time about his AI impersonator when you see him at Thanksgiving.
3. Bring Back the Family Code Word
I recommend creating code words between family members. Pick a word or phrase your immediate family knows, but that isn’t something a stranger could easily discover online or anywhere else. If someone calls claiming to be your child, grandchild, spouse, or another family member and something doesn’t feel right, ask for the family code word. Don’t make it something obvious like your dog’s name, hometown, favorite sports team, or mother’s maiden name. The bad guys can research those things.
Make it ridiculous if you want: “Purple Meatball.” “Grandma Hates Pickles.” “Disco Sasquatch.” Nobody said cybersecurity can’t be fun.
Just don’t post a picture on Facebook announcing, “The Johnson Family Emergency Code Word is DISCO SASQUATCH!” That defeats the purpose.
4. Beware of Artificial Urgency
Technology changes. Human beings don’t. Scammers rely heavily on fear, excitement, embarrassment, and urgency because emotional people make faster decisions.
- Your account will be closed!
- Your computer has been hacked!
- Your grandson has been arrested!
- You owe the IRS!
- You’ve won $800,000!
- The CEO needs $5,000 in gift cards immediately!
AI simply makes those stories more convincing. When someone creates an emergency and immediately asks for money or information, slow down. Scammers hate that. Take five minutes. Call somebody. Check another source. Look up the organization’s legitimate phone number yourself.
Very few legitimate emergencies are improved by purchasing Apple gift cards at Walgreens.
5. Pictures and Video Aren’t Proof Anymore Either
AI-generated photographs have become remarkably realistic, and AI-generated video continues to improve. That means the picture someone sends you isn’t necessarily proof that something happened. Even a video showing a recognizable person saying something may not be genuine.
This doesn’t mean you should wander through life assuming everything you see is fake. Your neighbor probably really did catch that enormous trout. It simply means important decisions shouldn’t depend on a photograph, video, email, text message, or phone call alone.
If money, passwords, financial information, or personal safety are involved, verify through another method. Trust is fine. Independent verification is better.
Welcome to the “Prove It” Era
Artificial intelligence is an amazing technology. Unfortunately, scammers get to use amazing technology too. The result is that many of the clues we relied on in the past are disappearing. Scam emails can be perfectly written. Fake phone calls can sound like people we know. Photographs can be fabricated. Videos can be manipulated.
So, we need a new habit: Don’t just ask whether something looks real. Ask how you can prove that it is real. Call the person back. Visit the website yourself. Use the official app. Ask the family code word. Talk to someone you trust. And when somebody demands money or sensitive information immediately, make them wait.
Remember, scammers want you frightened, excited, confused, and in a hurry. Nothing ruins their day quite like a calm person who says: “That’s interesting. I’m going to verify this first.”
Have a great day and be careful out there!