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Stay Safe
AI is a useful tool, and it is also a tool scammers use. The good news: the same simple habits protect you from almost every scam.
The one rule: If someone is rushing you to send money or share private information, stop. Hang up or close the message, then check using a phone number or website you already trust.
Scams: the warning signs
- You are told to act right now or something bad will happen.
- You are asked to keep it a secret.
- You are asked to pay with gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or cash.
- Someone you do not know asks for a password, a code sent to your phone, or your Social Security or Medicare number.
- A message includes a link and says there is a problem with your account, a package, or a refund.
Fake voices and videos (deepfakes)
Scammers can now use AI to copy a voice or make a video that looks real. A common trick is a call that sounds like a grandchild or other relative saying they are in trouble and need money fast. Government agencies have warned about this kind of scam, and they say the best defense is to verify instead of trusting what you hear.
What to do
- Hang up. It is not rude. A real relative will understand.
- Call the person back on the number you already have for them. If they do not answer, call another family member.
- Agree on a family code word ahead of time, something that is not on social media. Ask for it if you get an emergency call.
- Do not send money until you have confirmed it is really them.
Learn more from the FCC guide on deepfake robocalls and scam texts (opens in a new tab).
Calls, texts, and emails that pretend to be your bank or the government
- Do not click links in unexpected messages. Instead, type the company's web address yourself, or call the number printed on your card or statement.
- Do not trust a phone number just because it appears in a search result or an ad. Use the number on your statement or card.
- Do not trust Caller ID alone. Numbers can be faked.
Privacy: what never to share with a chatbot
Treat a chatbot like a stranger in a public place. Do not type anything you would not say out loud there.
- Passwords, PINs, and one-time codes
- Bank, credit card, or investment account numbers
- Social Security, Medicare, or driver's license numbers
- Photos of ID cards, checks, or insurance cards
- Full medical records or test results
- Your home address and phone number, together with your full name
- Private details about other people (family, friends, neighbors)
Tip: if you want help with a letter or bill, you can leave out or replace names, account numbers, and addresses before you paste it in.
Some chatbots live inside other apps. For example, Grok can be used on X, which is a public social platform, so your X privacy settings matter too. See Getting started with Grok.
Privacy rules differ from one company and one product to another. Look for a privacy or data settings page in the tool you use and read what it says. If you are unsure, check the company's official site.
Your safety checklist
- I will not rush. I will take a few minutes to check.
- I will call back on a number I already know.
- I have a family code word for emergencies (or I will pick one this week).
- I will never pay with gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers to someone who contacted me first.
- I will not share passwords or one-time codes with anyone, including a chatbot.
- I will use only the official website or app for each chatbot, typing the address myself.
- I will double-check important chatbot answers on an official site.
- I will tell a trusted person if I think I have been targeted.
If you think you have been scammed
- If you sent money or shared bank details, call your bank or card company right away using the number on your card or statement.
- Change any password you may have shared.
- Talk to someone you trust. Scams are not your fault, and they happen to smart people.
- Report it. See the list below.
Where to get help or report
- ReportFraud.ftc.gov (opens in a new tab) (Federal Trade Commission) to report fraud.
- AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline (opens in a new tab): 877-908-3360, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time (hours shown on AARP's page when we checked; please confirm there). It offers guidance and support, not investigation or recovery.
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) (opens in a new tab) for internet-related crime.
- USA.gov: scams and fraud (opens in a new tab) for where to report each type of scam.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: fraud and scams (opens in a new tab).