04/30/2026
Fraud and AI -
Here's a number for you: $12.5B That's the amount of money Americans lost to AI fueled scams in 2025. That figure could explode in 2026.
This will not be popular post. AI is the shiny new technology being infused in just about all aspects of our online and offline worlds. It's a powerful and seemingly miraculous tool that can whip out reports, essays, code, and just about any answer to any question in seconds. Businesses are jumping on this bandwagon fast!
Too, generative AI has emerged as a powerful tool for criminals, enabling the creation of hyper-realistic deepfakes, forged identities, and all-too-believable phishing scams. Financial institutions are quickly catching on, with nine out of ten banks using AI to detect fraud. A report by Feedzai noted that 90% of financial institutions are combating emerging fraud with AI-powered solutions to safeguard consumers and counter rising threats. The problem is that while legitimate companies and agencies must adhere to legal guidelines, fraudsters do not. It's a constant game of cat and mouse.
In the meantime, bad actors have gotten really good at stealing our money. What can you do to safeguard yourself and loved ones? Be skeptical, and scrutinize unsolicited emails. Double check through direct websites or call the company directly to verify. Do not use Agentic AI (autonomous AI, is a type of artificial intelligence that runs independently) for personal tasks, such as shopping bots. Turn off the generative AI function on your email and other personal devices. Each use teaches the system more about you and if, or when, you get hacked, it's like handing your keys to the kingdom to thieves.
Be safe out there.
