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AI Fuels 30x Surge in Black Friday Scams
27 Nov
Summary
- Shopping scams increased 30x due to AI, Guardio reports.
- AI helps scammers create convincing fake websites and voices.
- Urgent account alerts are a common scam tactic targeting shoppers.
This year's Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping season is being targeted by a dramatic rise in scams, fueled by advancements in artificial intelligence. Cybersecurity firm Guardio has reported a 30-fold increase in fraudulent shopping-related communications over the past month, with November already becoming a peak period for online fraud before Thanksgiving weekend.
The sophistication of these scams is escalating, as AI can now generate hyper-realistic phishing websites and impersonate company representatives with AI-powered voices and videos. This technology erases traditional scam indicators like spelling errors, making it harder for consumers to discern legitimate communications from fraudulent ones. Major brands like Amazon, Apple, and Walmart are frequently imitated.
Scammers often employ tactics such as "urgent account alerts" to pressure consumers into quick, unverified actions. The Federal Trade Commission noted over $432 million lost to online shopping scams in 2024, a figure expected to rise in 2025. To stay safe, consumers are advised to avoid clicking links in suspicious emails or texts and instead navigate directly to company websites or official apps.
