Watch for fake AI ads during holiday shopping season

Black Friday is just around the corner, so be on the lookout for these latest scams already making the rounds online.    

AI-generated ads for fake products

As we mentioned earlier this year, scammers are using AI to create more convincing phishing campaigns. Organizations like the FBI and Better Business Bureau have reported an uptick in criminals using AI to create ads for products that don’t exist, don’t come as advertised, or don’t arrive to your door at all:

Deepfake celebrity endorsements

Scammers are also using AI technology to create deepfakes of celebrities selling products in order to collect your personal information. For instance, scammers recently took real footage of Taylor Swift and used her image and voice to pretend to give away Le Creuset products. All people had to do was click on a button and submit personal details to be entered to win:

How to protect yourself

Don’t let a scammer ruin your holiday season by following these tips: 

• Research the seller: No matter where you see an ad – social media, an email, or text message – search for reviews about the seller if you’re unfamiliar with them. 

• Use secure payment methods: Always use a payment method with consumer protections, like PayPal or a credit card. 

• Verify links and websites: Scammers can also use AI to generate fake versions of legitimate websites. Check the URL of a site where you intend to make a purchase. 

• Be wary of suspiciously good deals: If an item is being sold at a price that seems too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t be lured in to provide your payment details!   

• Report fraud: You can report scams to the FBI and Federal Trade Commission. However, if a suspicious message lands in your WCM inbox, make sure you report it to ITS Security immediately.

Happy holidays and stay safe online!