Phillip Statler, EA · Statler Financial Services Inc
How AI Scams Are Fooling Smart People
And What You Can Do About It
Voice cloning. Deepfakes. Hyper-personalized emails. AI scams are getting more convincing. Here's what to watch out for to stay preserved and better prepared.
In the 1920s, a man named Victor Lustig convinced dozens of people he had the authority to sell the Eiffel Tower.1
Twice.
He forged documents, spoke confidently, and preyed on trust.
Scams aren't new. The technology just keeps changing.
Today's scammers don't need forged papers or fake titles. They have artificial intelligence. And they're using it to clone voices, create fake videos, and craft eerily personal emails.
Even smart, cautious people can be fooled.
This issue of the Visual Insights Newsletter breaks down five common AI-powered scam tactics, and gives you practical steps to help protect yourself and your loved ones.
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Spot These 5 AI-Powered Scam Tactics
#1 Voice Cloning: Trust, Hijacked
AI can now clone a loved one's voice with exceptional accuracy (often using just a few seconds of audio scraped from online sources). Scammers use it to impersonate family members in distress, tricking victims into sending money during fake emergencies.2
Precautions to take:
Set up a family safe word for real emergencies, and never act based on a voice alone. If something feels off, hang up and call the person back using a number you know is real. Ask a personal question only they would know.
What to know:
Scammers can fake what shows up on your caller ID. It's called spoofing. Just because it looks like a call from your bank or a family member doesn't mean it actually is.
#2 Deepfakes: Seeing Isn't Believing
AI-generated videos and photos can now make it look like someone said or did something they never actually did.3
From fake celebrity endorsements to political misinformation, deepfakes are being used to deceive. They're getting harder to spot.
Precautions to take:
If a video or image seems off, don't react right away. Cross-check with a trusted source, look for coverage from credible outlets, and avoid sharing emotionally charged content until it's verified.
What to know:
Deepfakes often rely on urgency or shock to bypass your skepticism. Slowing down your reaction is one of the simplest — and most effective — defenses.
#3 Phishing Emails & Texts: Deception, Personalized
Scammers now use AI to craft phishing emails and texts that sound personal, look legitimate, and often mimic real institutions.
They can appear to come from your bank or delivery services like USPS or FedEx. These messages try to trigger urgency or curiosity to get you to click a link or share sensitive information.4
Precautions to take:
Don't click on links in unexpected messages — even if the name looks familiar. Instead, go directly to the source (like your bank's website or your account on a retail site) to verify. If a message feels suspicious, check the sender's address or number carefully and don't respond.
What to know:
Scammers can spoof both email addresses and phone numbers. They can even use fake websites that look nearly identical to the real thing. If something feels off, pause, verify, and never rush to respond.
#4 Fake Websites: Familiar Look, Fraudulent Intent
Many phishing scams lead you to the next trap: a fake website that looks almost identical to a trusted brand.
Scammers use AI to build convincing clones that mimic real companies, complete with official logos, login forms, and messaging.
Precautions to take:
Avoid entering personal or financial information on a site you reached through an email or text message. Instead, type the website address directly into your browser or use a saved bookmark. Look closely for misspellings or unusual characters in the URL.
What to know:
Just because a website looks legitimate doesn't mean it is. Scammers use fake links to trick you into handing over passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive information.5
#5 Personalized Scams: Too Much Information
AI makes it easier for scammers to gather your personal details, from social media posts to public records, and use them to create messages that seem tailored just for you. These scams might reference your job, family, hobbies, or recent events to catch you off guard and earn your trust.
Precautions to take:
Be mindful of what you share online. Adjust your privacy settings and avoid posting information about vacations, birthdays, or family milestones that could be used against you. If a message feels oddly specific or familiar, pause and verify before you respond.
What to know:
Scammers don't need to hack you when they can simply collect what you've made public. The more they know, the more convincing their scams become.6
These scams are evolving fast, but being informed gives you an advantage. With just a few small changes to your habits and awareness, you can potentially reduce your risk and stay in control.
FINANCIAL LESSON:
Stay Ahead of the Scam Curve
Which of these scams caught you by surprise?
Which ones could catch someone you care about off guard?
Digital scams don't just steal information. They target your trust, your time, and your financial sense of preservation.
The good news is, you don't need to know everything to help stay protected. A few savvy habits and conversations can make a big difference.
Staying informed helps you make clearer decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and support others who may be more vulnerable.
When it comes to helping protect your wealth and confidence, awareness is a powerful first move.
And when digital threats are just one piece of the puzzle, a well-rounded financial strategy becomes even more important.
Whether you're planning for growth, legacy, or long-term preservation, we're here to help you stay one step ahead.
Sincerely,
Phillip Statler, EA
Statler Financial Services Inc
P.S. Sign up for my emails. My subscribers get my best insights.
Phillip Statler, EA
Statler Financial Services Inc
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Phillip Statler, EA
Statler Financial Services Inc
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- Biography.com, 2018 [URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20181002102234/https://www.biography.com/people/victor-lustig-20657385]
- Federal Trade Commission, 2023 [URL: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/03/scammers-use-ai-enhance-their-family-emergency-schemes]
- AARP, 2024 [URL: https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/ai-scams/]
- Federal Trade Commission, 2025 [URL: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/04/think-text-message-usps-it-could-be-scam]
- Federal Trade Commission, 2024 [URL: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/12/phishing-scams-can-be-hard-spot]
- Social Security Administration, 2025 [URL: https://blog.ssa.gov/resolve-to-protect-yourself-from-scams-this-new-year/]
Content prepared by Snappy Kraken.
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which investment(s) may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor before investing. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly.
Investment advisory services are offered through Second Half Financial Partners, LLC, a separate but affiliated entity that is a SEC Registered Investment Advisor domiciled in the state of Florida, and appropriately registered in all states in which it conducts business.
All investments are subject to risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values.
This guide is provided for informational purposes only; it is not designed as advice for an individual's personal situation. The information contained in this material is believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed; it is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions. Our firm does not provide, and no statement contained in the guide shall constitute, tax or legal advice. All individuals are encouraged to seek the guidance of a qualified professional regarding their personal situation.
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