AI (Artificial Intelligence) is emerging with lightning speed. But you need to know what to look out for. This is particularly true for those of us over 50. It’s easy to be tricked, leading to damaging consequences.
Platforms like ChatGPT or Claude can be useful sources of information. If you approach them cautiously, they can help increase productivity, facilitate better decision-making, and improve customer service for businesses.
However, AI also has a dark side, as it is OFTEN used for fraud and exploitation.
Watch my video about AI-Powered fraud
AI has been taking over online advertising. Catchy ads that are actually deepfake reviews may even feature celebrities. I’ve seen Oprah Winfrey, Hoda, and Kelly Clarkson promoting products, such as supplements, that easily make you want to click to learn more.
The problem is, those celebs don’t have a relationship with the brands that are using their images illegally.
Often, those ads lead to endlessly long videos with a tempting and overpriced sales offer at the end.
They were created using AI, which can replicate images and voices to make you trust they are legit. The product is often shipped from overseas, is substandard, and returns are difficult to impossible.
I clicked on an ad featuring the “Himalayan salt trick diet,” and Oprah was on screen endorsing it. The “diet” turned out to be a “natural” mixture that claims to have the same results as Ozempic. Of course, it was cleverly packaged as a supplement.
Fake products generated by AI
Scammers use AI to mass-generate 5-star reviews for products. They strategically target the over-50 demographic to buy ineffective or harmful products, particularly in the wellness and anti-aging arena.
How many ads have you seen promoting memory loss, low bone density, wrinkle erasers, or pain-relief solutions?
Chatbots pretend to be customer support
AI chatbots, disguised as customer service agents, are designed to impersonate real support agents on scam websites. Seniors seeking help may be coerced to reveal personal information or credit card numbers.
I once called a fake Facebook support number after my Facebook page was taken over. The customer service agent sounded like an expert but turned out to be a scammer who stole money from my Venmo account. I caught on, got my money back, and stopped him (or it) from infiltrating more of my accounts but I never recovered my Facebook page.
Grandparent scams hone in on seniors
Scammers will use AI to mimic a loved one’s voice and call or leave voicemails asking for urgent money. Vulnerable seniors, hearing the voice of their relative, will mail funds out of fear. An example is: “Grandma, I’m in jail in Mexico. Don’t tell Mom. Please send $2,000 immediately.”
Fake online financial advisors
A fraudulent financial advisor may appear in an AI-generated ad or website and offer to manage a person’s retirement savings. They convince customers to transfer personal financial data or money, posing as expert advisors. These ads often offer a free portfolio checkup that will drain your bank account after you log in.
Subscription traps using AI-personalized shopping
AI systems create tailored product recommendations and then trick customers by charging for additional products or monthly subscriptions. This has happened to me more than once.
Check your shopping cart thoroughly before pressing SEND. Read the fine print.
Romance scams are enhanced by AI
AI can generate realistic texts, photos, and video calls that simulate a romantic relationship. Seniors seeking companionship or a committed relationship may be emotionally manipulated into sending money to a person they think they know.
An example is a retired doctor in Europe who flirted with a woman using AI messaging. After developing trust, he asked her to help him with travel costs and pay for an emergency surgery.
Phishing emails
AI creates personalized emails with convincing letterheads from well-known banks or other legitimate companies. A common email to watch for is a fake Amazon email asking about a missed delivery. NEVER click on the email directly. ALWAYS use your browser to go to the company’s website and make sure it is legit.
If you receive an email from “PayPal,” your bank, utility company, Social Security, or any place that holds your important information, check the email address it came from. It’s often from a very weird or suspicious place.
Health device frauds are frequently generated by AI
Scammers prey on seniors with health-related issues. You may see an ad with multiple testimonials for a “smart” hearing aid or miracle blood pressure monitor. Many of these ads originate in China, and the products, which often take a lengthy time to arrive, are badly made or dangerous.
Fake Medicare or Social Security agents
AI phone bots or texts may claim to be from the government, asking to “verify” information. Seniors are easily fooled into providing their Social Security or Medicare numbers. These phone messages or texts may read, “Your benefits have been suspended. Call now to reactivate.” Block these texts and calls immediately.
Social media videos and ads have been taken over by AI
This has become a HUGE problem on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. I’ve seen it happening in practically every niche. You don’t know what’s real and what isn’t.
It’s been frustrating for me as a content creator and a 40-plus-year voice actor. At first, AI voices sounded stilted and fake, but they are becoming more and more authentic-sounding.
I often watch fashion, beauty, and travel videos on YouTube. A large portion of them are AI-generated. Some feature gray-haired models promoting over-50 fashion. However, if you look closely, you won’t see a wrinkle on their face.
Some AI-generated videos use shots showing “real” over-50 fashion influencers, without their permission. The advice given is usually mundane at best, delivered in a flat, monotonous tone. You may hear a slip in pronunciation giving away the fact that it is fake.
We all make mistakes. I made a video featuring Quince clothing and mispronounced the brand’s name throughout the entire video. I got a ton of flak in comments and apologized. How embarrassing! It’s still up because it got a lot of views, but I cringe thinking about it.
In one video, the AI voice mentions certain fashion brands that are now selling cheaply made clothing. Most of it is true.
However, it features models that look almost exactly alike shopping in fake stores that look nothing like the one being described.
What really irked me was seeing comments from viewers asking questions and making remarks to a non-person.
This obviously hurts “real” YouTubers and other content creators trying to make extra or full-time income on social media platforms.
Political advertising has gone bonkers with AI-generated memes and videos
Our current political atmosphere in the United States has become extremely divisive. Some of this division comes from AI-generated political ads being posted on OVERDRIVE!
Many are on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. They are spreading propaganda and misinformation, so beware.
They are being used to sway voters. Very DARK FORCES from Russia, China, and other powerful people or entities are driving this with no care about who it will hurt in the long run.
These bad actors are blatantly and illegally trying to dismantle the government by throwing the Constitution and our laws to the wind.
Cryptocurrency scams
Cryptocurrency is “a digital, encrypted, and decentralized medium of exchange.” If you can figure that out, you are much smarter than I am. You can’t hold cryptocurrency or feel it like real money.
There are no regulatory bodies to protect you. Vulnerable people, including seniors, are losing money to these schemes.
Unless you completely understand how cryptocurrency works, avoid it like the plague.
What steps can you take to avoid AI Fraud?
Secure your accounts without passwords
Keep track of your passwords without setting up annoying and confusing two-factor authentication. Instead, you can purchase USB keys that insert into your computer to override this and make the process simpler. They are designed to protect your accounts. Two security key brands I like are Yubico and SecuX.
Use your common street smarts
If something looks fishy, it probably is.
Learn to recognize fake sites, videos, and emails. I know this sounds counterintuitive, but before you make a purchase or a big decision, ask ChatGPT or Google if it’s legit. The answers may not be perfect, but they are often pretty accurate.
I use those sources from time to time, with great results, but I know what to look out for.
Be careful out there
We can’t reverse progress, as we all know now that we are older. Telephone booths are now antiques, and very few of us watch TV with rabbit ears.
Don’t be a sheep, be a truthseeker. Do what you can to root out AI-generated corruption so we can all return to a dignified and safer world.
Have you been a victim of AI-generated fraud? Please leave a comment below and tell us about it.
Here’s what I always say…” the world we live in “…and shake my head
Very scary, so many predators out there. I guess it’s always been like this, but now it feels worse than ever.