Imagine getting a video message from your boss asking you to wire money urgently. It looks like them, sounds like them—but it’s not them. Welcome to the world of deepfake scams, where artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to impersonate trusted individuals with alarming accuracy.
In response to this growing threat, the American Bankers Association (ABA) Foundation, in partnership with the FBI, has released a new infographic aimed at helping consumers recognize and avoid deepfake scams. It’s part of a broader push to educate the public about how AI-generated media—whether it’s video, audio, or images—can be used to deceive.
What Are Deepfakes, Really?
Deepfakes are digitally manipulated media that use AI to create hyper-realistic impersonations. These can be videos of someone saying things they never said, audio clips mimicking a person’s voice, or even photos that look eerily real. This technology is advancing fast, and unfortunately, so are the scams.
According to the FBI, since 2020, there have been over 4.2 million fraud reports, resulting in more than $50.5 billion in losses—and deepfakes are increasingly part of that picture.
Why Are Deepfakes So Dangerous?
Because they play on trust. If you see a familiar face or hear a known voice, your guard is naturally down. Scammers exploit this by impersonating:
- Family members asking for emergency help
- Company executives requesting financial transfers
- Government officials delivering fake instructions
And here’s the kicker: most people can’t tell the difference. A recent study found that only 0.1% of participants could correctly identify all deepfake and real media—even when they were told some would be fake. Surprisingly, confidence doesn’t equal competence. Young adults aged 18–34 were the most confident in their ability to spot deepfakes, yet they struggled just as much as older adults. Meanwhile, 39% of people aged 65+ had never even heard of deepfakes.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
The ABA Foundation’s infographic offers practical tips to help you stay safe:
- Pause and verify: If something feels off, don’t act immediately. Contact the person through a known channel.
- Look for inconsistencies: Deepfakes often have subtle glitches—unnatural blinking, mismatched lip movements, or odd lighting.
- Be skeptical of urgency: Scammers often create a sense of panic to rush you into action.
- Educate others: Share what you learn with friends and family. Awareness is a powerful defense.
Bottom line? Deepfakes are here, and they’re getting better. But with the right knowledge and a healthy dose of skepticism, you can stay one step ahead.
