How to Protect Yourself From a Con Artist in the Age of AI

Understanding the dangers of a con artist is essential for protecting yourself against scams and fraud. Their predatory tactics can harm you and your finances, but there are things you can do to protect yourself.

Scammers are skilled at using predatory tactics that prey on emotions to trick people. You can become well-informed to protect yourself and your financial well-being from falling victim.

Taking your time before making decisions and researching the individual or business are ideal ways to protect yourself. However, you’ll want to understand con artists, their common tactics, and how to handle them.

Con artists practice common scams, so it helps when you know what to watch for. It can help you understand fraud and alleviate your risk of predatory methods.

Scammers often use software to disguise their email address or phone number and make it look like it’s from a legitimate source. This technique is called spoofing and is one reason people fall for scams.

Con artists are often narcissists and exhibit personality traits enabling them to feel comfortable about scamming people. They typically try to look wealthy by dressing well and working in fancy offices. It helps them look successful and professional, making you more likely to believe them.

Scammers tend to distract their victims to divert their attention away. They’ll also mirror your body language to encourage empathy and trust.

Scammers evolve constantly, and the tactics that dominated a few years ago have been overshadowed by far more sophisticated schemes.

According to the FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report, Americans reported losing a record $20.9 billion to internet-enabled fraud in 2025 alone, a 26% increase from the year before. These are the scams most likely to target you or someone you love right now.

AI voice cloning is one of the newest and most unsettling tools con artists use today. Scammers can clone a loved one’s voice using just a few seconds of audio from a social media video or voicemail and then call you in a fake emergency, crying, panicked, and asking for money.

According to a 2026 McAfee survey, 1 in 10 Americans has already experienced a voice clone scam. The FBI’s 2025 IC3 Report recorded nearly $893 million in AI-related fraud losses, and that’s only what got reported.

Beyond phone calls, deepfake videos of fake celebrity or expert endorsements are running as paid ads on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, pushing investment schemes and health products that don’t exist.

The FTC recommends these steps if you receive a suspicious call:

🔑 Ask for the family safe word

📵 Hang up and call back manually

⏸️ Pause before sending any money

🚩 Question video endorsements on social media

Con artists use manipulative tactics and psychological tricks to accomplish their sketchy goals. They use emotional manipulation because heightened emotions make it easier to convince their victims. Scammers also get to know their victims to discover what they want or need in order to manipulate them.

Online romance scams are one type of persuasion technique that involves predatory behavior and psychological manipulation. Scammers may use fake photos to romantically connect online, seeming to genuinely care about you, and then steal from you after gaining your trust. They will wait until you feel comfortable and then manipulate you into giving them money or other items.

Some of the persuasion techniques con artists use include:

Safeguarding your personal information is essential to preventing identity theft and fraud. Scammers often obtain and use personal information to steal money, and it often occurs online. They may use emails, phone calls, or text messages to convince you to reveal the information they want.

Scammers can use bank and credit card information or social security numbers to obtain what they want. They can steal your money, assets, and identity, so keeping this information private is essential.

You can implement online security measures by:

Skepticism and critical thinking can help you protect yourself from con artists, so always be mindful of your money. It’s okay to question things and take time to fact-check everything. This extra step can save you from revealing personal information to the wrong person.

If an offer seems unusually favorable, it’s okay to question it. Con artists use these situations to try to trap you before you can think about it. Don’t let someone rush you into deciding because it’s worthwhile to do your research first.

Don’t provide information if you ever doubt the validity of an offer or request that requires you to give personal data. It’s best to be cautious and turn down the requests if you’re unsure how your information will get used.

Being skeptical reminds you to take the time to review offers or claims. You’ll be more likely to analyze the information and look for inconsistencies or vague explanations. Skepticism also encourages you to check online complaints about the company or person, enlightening you about other people’s experiences.

Checking credentials before doing any transactions can save you from the tactics of a con artist. Verification and legitimacy checks should always occur before you give any personal information so you don’t experience fraud.

Asking someone for their credentials can sometimes be enough to determine if they’re a con artist. Most companies requesting personal information have regulations that require them to provide it. If someone can’t, they may not be who they say they are.

You can search online for complaints by typing in the company or person’s name. If you don’t see the results you’re looking for, you can add the words “scam” to the search and try again.

When other people encounter issues, they are likely to share their experiences to prevent others from falling victim to the same scam. The Federal Trade Commission will also send you fraud alerts if you sign up for free, helping you stay aware of new scams.

Maintaining financial awareness is one of the best ways to protect yourself from con artists and their predatory behavior. It can help you avoid money scams and practice financial safety. Some ways to avoid this predatory behavior include:

Reporting scams or suspected fraud to law enforcement can help stop con artists. Plus, pursuing legal action might be necessary if they steal your money or identity.  Throughout the experience, write down all details, no matter how minor they seem. Include the person’s name, phone number, and everything they said.

Additionally, make copies of any documents, like emails or letters. Keeping a good record can help you report scams and take legal action.

You can contact the FTC to file a complaint about a scammer online or call them at 1-877-382-4357. Another option is to report the scam to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). You can contact your local FBI office or anonymously submit a tip online.

Other options include contacting local law enforcement, including the police department or the state attorney general’s office. You can also discuss your situation with a lawyer to get more advice on how to handle it.

It’s also essential to immediately report potential fraud to your bank or credit card company. They can place restrictions on your account to prevent money from being pulled, and it makes them aware of the situation if someone has already accessed your account.

The more you know about con artists, the better you can protect yourself. Community awareness and education are essential because they help you and teach those around you. Knowledge sharing allows you to tell others what you learned, and you’ll likely gain wisdom from their insights and experiences, too.

Scammers often change their tactics to prevent people from recognizing them as scams. Staying educated is essential to stay informed about recent fraud in your community or online. It’ll also help you recognize potential signs of a scam so you can prepare a proactive defense.

Protecting yourself from con artists can help avoid many issues, including financial mishaps and stress. Being skeptical and practicing personal security is essential, so don’t feel bad for not believing everyone. Community awareness is also beneficial because it can help stop some of the issues in your area while protecting others.

These strategies against scams and fraud can help you keep your personal information and finances safe. Staying alert and reporting suspicious activities to law enforcement can help you and others in the community.