When Sally’s daughter Emma went on holiday to Bali, Sally expected the usual updates – not a panicked voice message asking for $5,000.
“Mum, it’s Emma. I’m in trouble. Can you urgently put five thousand dollars into my account? My bank details are…”
It sounded exactly like her daughter. Same voice, same tone. But something didn’t feel right.
Thankfully, Sally had recently heard about fake voice scams – and called Emma directly to double check. Her instinct was right. The message was a fake, generated using AI.
This type of scam is known as vishing – and it’s part of a growing wave of AI-powered scams targeting everyday Australians.
What are AI scams – and why are they so dangerous?
Generative AI can now mimic real voices, replicate faces, and spin up convincing messages in seconds.
This has enormous benefits in medicine, education and business – but it also opens the door to misuse. Scammers are now using this technology to impersonate trusted people and trick victims into acting quickly and emotionally.
Common AI scams: How they work and what to look out for
| Scam | What is it? | What to look out for |
|---|---|---|
| Vishing | Voice scam using AI to mimic a loved one asking for money | – Unexpected voice message- Emotional urgency- Odd audio quality or glitches |
| Scam chatbots | Fake customer support chats that mimic legitimate companies | – Requests for personal or payment info- Urgent tone- Advice to install remote software |
| Smishing | Realistic text messages claiming to be from a service provider, with links to click and input personal info | – Generic greetings (e.g. “Dear customer”)- Messages that sound overly polished or urgent- Always verify the URL using another device |
| Deepfake videos | Fabricated videos of public figures or celebrities promoting fake investments | – Unnatural movements or glitches- Inconsistencies in lighting or lip sync- Urgent language urging you to “Act now” or “Find out more” |
So what’s the common thread?
Urgency. Pressure. Emotion. These scams are designed to bypass your logic by creating a sense of crisis or trust.
That’s why it’s so important to slow down and verify before responding – even if the message seems legitimate.
How to protect yourself
In a world where AI can fake voices, photos and even live video, your best defence is caution and verification.
Here are practical steps to protect yourself:
Pause and think: Scammers rely on urgency. Take a moment before acting on any unexpected request.
Verify the source: Call the person directly on a known number or check with the organisation through official channels.
Don’t click unknown links: Even if the message appears to come from a trusted source.
Report and learn: Visit Scamwatch for the latest alerts and to log any suspicious messages.
Seek advice before transferring funds: Especially when requests involve urgency, secrecy or financial action.
A final reminder
Technology may be advancing, but scammers are still relying on the same thing: human trust.
AI has no emotions. But we do – and that’s our strength.
Stay cautious. Ask questions. Expect proof. And don’t be afraid to double check, even if the request seems legitimate.
Your best protection is still your ability to pause, assess, and verify.
The information contained on this website has been provided as general advice only. The contents have been prepared without taking account of your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should, before you make any decision regarding any information, strategies or products mentioned on this website, consult your own financial adviser to consider whether that is appropriate having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.