Americans are losing nearly $119 billion annually to online scams, a figure that highlights the widespread nature of this issue. In 2025, a surge in robocalls and text scams marked a six-year peak, revealing that these threats extend beyond digital platforms.
The rise of artificial intelligence has equipped scammers with advanced tools to enhance their deceptive tactics. Utilizing large language models, fraudsters can craft personalized and grammatically correct phishing emails and texts that convincingly imitate real individuals. In addition, machine learning enables the creation of voice clones that replicate a person's unique vocal characteristics.
As an author with significant online visibility, I have encountered numerous sophisticated scams, particularly attempts to sell nonexistent marketing services. Many of these schemes present red flags, such as the absence of unique information in messages that seem overly generic.
Identifying AI-generated scams can be challenging, as even specialized tools like Pangram may yield inaccurate results. However, a good strategy is to analyze public information about yourself and differentiate between what is widely known and more sensitive personal details.