2 weeks ago
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Deep down, we all think we’re immune to scams. “Pinoy ako – bihasa ako sa ganyan!” We think we know better just because we grew up on Dugo-Dugo Gang stories and dodgy pyramid schemes.
But times have changed. With new technologies come new ways of deceiving people. Artificial Intelligence (AI), in particular, has made it increasingly difficult to spot counterfeit messages.
AI Phishing? What’s that?
You know those old-school scam emails full of spelling mistakes and weirdly formal language? “Dear Sir or Madam, I am a Nigerian prince in distress...” Yeah, those don’t work anymore. People got wise.
AI changed the game. Now, scams aren’t just random, poorly written messages. They’re personalized. They’re believable. And they’re dangerous.
And it’s not just clueless grandmas anymore. It doesn’t matter how smart you think you are or even how tech savvy – absolutely anyone can be a victim. Undue confidence is a weakness con men love exploiting.
Funny enough, in a way, phishing is just like fishing. When you cast your net unto the sea, you realistically don’t expect to catch all the fish in the area; all you need is a few to get snagged in your net. That’s how normal phishing scams used to work – by sending out fake emails or texts to thousands of people, hoping that a few would take the bait.
Now, the story changes when a fisherman has an adaptive, evolving net that adjusts itself based on the type of fish swimming nearby. That’s AI phishing. It’s personalized. It’s convincing. And it’s terrifyingly effective. If you’re not actively trying to spot it, chances are you’ll end up in the net.
AI Phishing Scams (And How They Work)
1. Fake Emails That Feel Too Real
Before AI, scam emails were easy to spot. They looked sloppy, sounded robotic, and often came from weird addresses. But now, scammers can use AI to create emails that are perfectly written. AI can mimic the writing style of your bank, Amazon, or PayPal. It can even generate invoices, security warnings, and account alerts that has virtually no difference with the real thing.
Example:
You receive an email from “Netflix” saying your payment didn’t go through. Everything looks legit – the logo, the wording, even the email address. You click the link, log in... and just like that, scammers have your password. Now they can log into your Netflix and any other account where you used the same password.
2. Deepfake Voice Scams
AI can now clone voices. All it needs is a short clip – maybe a voicemail or a TikTok video – and boom! Now, scammers can make that person say anything.
Example:
Your mom calls you, sounding embarrassed. “I’m buying fruits and I didn’t notice that I left my wallet at home. Can you send P1000 to my suki vendor’s Gcash? My phone battery is nearly empty.”
It sounds exactly like her. Same tone, same voice. But it’s not real. It’s AI-generated. And if you don’t check by calling her back directly, you might lose that money forever.
3. Fake Customer Support
Scammers know how we think. If you have a problem, your first stop is Google. And that’s where they set their trap.
Example:
You type “Maya customer support number” into Google. The first result looks real, but it’s actually a fake number a scammer paid to put there.
You call, and they answer. They sound friendly. “I’m here to help. I just need to confirm your login details to fix your issue.” And the moment you give them that info, they drain your account.
4. Text Message Scams That Sound Like Friends
Old scam texts were full of typos, awkward phrasing, and frankly, laughable grammar. AI fixed that. Now, messages sound smooth, natural, and, worst of all, familiar.
Example:
You get a text from a friend: “Hey, I found this crazy picture of you online. Is this really you? LOL.” Of course you click the link. It’s from your friend, after all. Instead of seeing a photo, you land on a Facebook login page that looks exactly how you expect it to. You type in your password, and scammers steal it. Now they have access to your account – and all your personal info.
5. AI-Powered Romance Scams (Fake Love, Real Heartbreak)
AI can create fake dating profiles, complete with photos and conversations that sound real. These scams play the long game, earning your trust before asking for money.
Example:
You’ve been chatting with “Jane” for weeks. She’s sweet, funny, locked in on the latest showbiz news, and just available enough to foster the connection. Then one day, she says her brother is sick and she needs P10,000 for medicine.
You care about her, so you send it. And then... nothing. She’s gone. Because “Jane” never existed.
How to Outsmart AI Scammers
As smart as AI is, you’re still smarter. Here’s how you can avoid being the victim of AI phishing:
1. Don’t Click the Link
When the email you received has a link where they want you to do something (fix the problem in your account, join a raffle by connecting your account, etc.), don’t click the link in the message. Instead, open a new tab and go to the official website yourself. From there, you can do what you need to do.
2. Always Call Back
If a loved one calls asking for money, don’t trust the voice. Hang up. Using the phone number you know for sure is theirs, call them. Don’t trust anything else.
3. Use 2FA Everywhere
Even if scammers were able to steal your password, Two Factor Authentication (2FA) can stop them from logging in to your account – that’s exactly what it’s designed for. Set it up on every account that offers it. Don’t be lazy. I guarantee you’ll need it.
4. Check the URL Carefully
Fake websites often have tiny differences in their addresses. Look closely before entering your password.
- Real: paypal.com
- Fake: pαypαl.com (see the Greek small letter alpha symbol [α] instead of the normal ‘a’?)
5. If You Feel Rushed, It’s a Scam
Scammers use urgency to make you act fast. If you ever feel pressured to send money or share info, step back and rethink.
Scammers have spent years perfecting these scams. AI made their job easier, but now you know the truth. You know how to spot the tricks. You know how to fight back. Be smart. Stay skeptical. And next time a scammer tries to fool you, make sure they are the ones who get caught.
