AI tools make it easier for scammers to defraud consumers
AI tools are increasingly being utilized by scammers to defraud consumers, leading to a significant rise in cybercrime. The FBI reported over 1 million complaints last year, resulting in losses exceeding $20 billion, a 26% increase from the previous year. Experts recommend vigilance and skepticism towards unsolicited communications to protect against these sophisticated scams.
- ▪The FBI reported over 1 million cybercrime complaints last year, totaling $20.877 billion in losses.
- ▪Scammers are using AI tools to impersonate individuals and streamline data collection on potential victims.
- ▪Experts advise treating unsolicited calls, emails, and texts with skepticism to avoid falling victim to scams.
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| Original publisher | The Detroit News |
| Canonical URL | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/personal-finance/2026/05/17/ai-scams-are-on-the-rise-how-to-protect-yourself/90095019007/ |
| Publication time | Mon, 18 May 2026 17:15:21 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-18T17:29:56.689Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-18T17:29:56.689Z |
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PERSONAL FINANCEAI tools make it easier for scammers to defraud consumersKimberly PalmerNerdWalletMay 17, 2026, 1:00 p.m. ETHear this storyView Comments AI tools are making it easier than ever for scammers to defraud consumers.The FBI reports that cybercrime is on the rise, reaching over 1 million complaints last year for a total of $20.877 billion in losses. That’s a 26% increase in losses over the previous year.Understanding how scammers work can make it easier to avoid their tricks.“There has never been more fraud and more different types of fraud than there is now, and the primary factor is the availability and accessibility of AI tools,” says Mason Wilder, a certified fraud examiner and research director at the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.Think about how easy AI makes…
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