Protecting Yourself from AI-Driven Scams This Season

Fraudsters are getting smarter, bolder, and unfortunately busier this time of year. With the rise of advanced artificial intelligence tools, scammers are creating more convincing schemes than ever, and they’re targeting everyone from older adults to holiday shoppers racing to check off their lists. At WyHy, we want you to stay ahead of these tricks so you can stay focused on what matters: enjoying the season, not stressing over scams.

The New Face of Fraud: AI

Just a few years ago, scams were easier to spot: misspelled messages, bad grammar, or generic calls asking for personal info. Now scammers are using AI tools to clone voices, create fake videos, and craft unbelievably realistic messages designed to make you act fast.

One growing threat is AI-driven elder fraud. Scammers scrape social media for personal information, clone the voice of a family member, and place a frantic call asking for money. Seniors who would normally be skeptical may find the voice so convincing they rush to help. The emotional urgency is real, but the call isn’t.

Holiday Shopping Scams Are on the Rise

The AARP Fraud Watch Network reports a big jump in scams targeting online shoppers and donors. Here’s what they’re seeing:

Nearly 9 in 10 adults have encountered some kind of scam
More than half received fake shipping or toll-payment texts
Nearly 4 in 10 saw misleading ads on social media
About one-third got fake charity donation requests
3 in 10 had packages stolen

Scammers know the holidays are busy. They count on you being distracted and moving quickly. Fake shipping alerts, bogus charities and ultra-cheap online deals are the big offenders this season.

What These Scams Look Like

Here are the scam trends we’re seeing right now:

Voice-cloning scams: A call from someone who sounds like your grandchild, niece, or friend saying they’re in trouble and need money immediately.
Fake shipping messages: Texts claiming your package is delayed or held — with a link that steals personal information.
Charity scams: Emails or social posts that mimic real organizations but send your donation straight into a scammer’s pocket.
Social media shopping traps: Ads for deals that are too good to be true, leading to counterfeit products or no delivery at all.
Peer-to-peer payment schemes: Requests for money on apps like Venmo or Cash App from someone you think you know, but don’t.

How WyHy Helps Protect You

We’re keeping a close eye on new fraud trends and monitoring for unusual activity. Behind the scenes, our teams use advanced fraud-detection tools, member-focused reviews, and ongoing training to catch suspicious patterns early. And because we know scams hit harder when emotions are high, we take time to listen, ask questions and help you safely navigate anything that feels off.

How You Can Stay Safe

A few simple habits can make a big difference:

Slow down: Scammers push urgency. Take a second before clicking, tapping or transferring money.
Verify every request: If someone claims to be a family member in trouble, hang up and call them directly using a number you trust.
Never click unexpected links: Shipping issues, toll charges or “account problems” should always be checked through official websites.
Confirm charity legitimacy: Search the organization yourself instead of clicking a link in an email or ad.
Use account alerts: Turn on text or email alerts for unusual transactions. It’s one of the easiest early-warning systems available.
Check your accounts regularly: Even five minutes a week can help catch unfamiliar or suspicious activity.

Fraud isn’t slowing down, and AI is giving scammers new tools to deceive good people. But knowledge is power. If something doesn’t feel right, if you get a strange call, or if a message makes you uneasy, contact us. We’re here to help you protect your money, your identity, and your peace of mind.

Stay alert this season, and remember: when in doubt, reach out.

We’re WyHy. We’re Wyoming. We’re with you.

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