AI-Powered Scams Surge Globally Targeting Seniors, New Zealand

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly exploited by scammers to create sophisticated and convincing fraud attempts, including deepfake images, voice cloning, and fake social media profiles, making it difficult to discern real from fake and putting people of all ages at risk. Norton’s Q3 Threat Report highlights a surge in AI-generated phishing websites, web skimming, and text-based scams globally, with New Zealand notably experiencing a 416% rise in web skimming and a 448% increase in malware attacks through fake browser updates. Elderly individuals, particularly those aged 60 and older who hold significant wealth, are frequent targets of scams, with losses estimated at $3.4 billion in 2023, though many cases go unreported. Experts advise victims to promptly report incidents to authorities to improve chances of recovering funds. Innovative AI-driven solutions, such as Apate.ai’s chatbot system, are being developed to engage and waste scammers’ time, offering a proactive defense against fraud. Additionally, UK authorities have warned pensioners about fraudulent Winter Fuel Payment scam texts exploiting the vulnerable, emphasizing that legitimate payments are issued automatically without requiring personal information.