Criminals are using artificial intelligence to imitate loved ones, create convincing videos and target unsuspecting victims, particularly older adults.
Imagine answering your phone and hearing your grandchild crying for help. The voice sounds familiar, the situation sounds urgent, and the caller insists that money must be sent immediately. But what if the person on the phone isn’t your grandchild at all?
That is the danger behind a growing form of fraud involving artificial intelligence, commonly known as AI.
As October marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is encouraging Georgians to become more aware of scams that use artificial intelligence to deceive victims.
Today’s technology allows criminals to imitate voices, create realistic photographs and videos, and produce convincing messages that appear to come from people victims know and trust. The result is a new challenge for consumers: Something that looks or sounds real may not be.
One of the most concerning uses of artificial intelligence involves voice cloning. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), scammers can obtain a short recording of someone’s voice, sometimes from a video posted on social media, and use AI technology to create a convincing imitation.
The scammer may then contact a parent or grandparent pretending to be a family member who has been injured, arrested or involved in another emergency. The caller often pressures the victim to send money immediately, sometimes insisting that the situation remain secret.
These schemes are particularly troubling because the voice may sound remarkably similar to that of the actual family member. The FTC advises consumers not to rely on a familiar voice as proof of identity. Instead, they should end the call and contact their loved one directly using a telephone number they already know.
Voice cloning is only one method criminals are using. The FBI has warned that artificial intelligence can be used to create fake social media profiles, fraudulent identification documents, realistic photographs and manipulated videos.
Some scammers use AI-generated images to establish fake romantic relationships, while others impersonate business executives, government officials or financial institutions.
Criminals may also use AI to write convincing emails and text messages that appear professional and legitimate. These messages can contain links designed to steal passwords, banking information or other personal details.
Videos are another concern. Technology sometimes referred to as deepfake technology can produce realistic-looking footage of people appearing to say or do things they never actually said or did. The FBI warns that criminals have used AI-generated videos and images in fraudulent investment promotions and impersonation schemes.
The financial impact of online fraud continues to grow. According to the FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report, released in April 2026, Americans reported nearly $21 billion in losses associated with internet crime.
Adults age 60 and older reported approximately $7.7 billion in losses, making them the age group with the highest reported financial losses.
The FBI also documented more than 22,000 complaints involving artificial intelligence, with reported losses exceeding $893 million during 2025.
Those AI-related figures represent complaints nationwide and are not limited to older adults or Georgia residents. The numbers demonstrate how criminals are increasingly incorporating advanced technology into traditional fraud schemes. While older adults are frequently targeted, individuals of any age can fall victim to these scams.
Five Ways Families Can Protect Themselves
The GBI and federal consumer protection agencies encourage families to take several precautions.
1. Verify unexpected calls. If someone claims to be a family member needing emergency assistance, hang up and call that person using a number you already have saved.
2. Establish a family code word. Choose a private word or phrase that family members can use to help verify their identity during an unexpected emergency. Keep it private, and remember that a code word is an additional precaution rather than a substitute for calling back independently.
3. Be suspicious of urgent demands for money. Scammers frequently create pressure by claiming that immediate payment is necessary. Requests for gift cards, cryptocurrency or wire transfers are particularly concerning.
4. Protect personal information. Avoid sharing banking details, passwords, Social Security numbers or verification codes with anyone who contacts you unexpectedly.
5. Talk with family members. Discuss common scams with parents, grandparents, children and other relatives. Establish a plan for checking suspicious messages or calls before anyone sends money.
One of the simplest precautions may also be the most effective: Take time to verify the situation before responding.
Anyone who believes they have been targeted by an AI-related scam should preserve relevant messages, telephone numbers, screenshots and transaction information when possible.
If money has already been sent, contact the bank or financial institution immediately to report the suspected fraud and ask whether the transaction can be stopped or reversed.
Suspected internet crimes can be reported to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
Consumers may also report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
The GBI encourages Georgians to contact local law enforcement when they believe they have been targeted by criminal activity. Anonymous information can also be submitted to the GBI by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477) or visiting gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online.
For families in Hazlehurst and Jeff Davis County, the warning serves as a reminder that cybersecurity is no longer limited to suspicious emails or unfamiliar websites. A telephone call, text message, social media conversation or even a video can now be manipulated to gain someone’s trust.
Families can help protect one another by discussing these scams before an emergency call or suspicious message arrives.
Technology will continue to change, and criminals will continue looking for ways to exploit it. But taking a few extra moments to verify someone’s identity can make a significant difference.
When something feels urgent, especially when money or personal information is involved, stop and verify before taking action.
