Jun 5, 2026
Scammers are using AI to pressure ordinary Americans, mixing voice cloning and high-pressure tactics to scare victims into sending fraudsters money.
Bay Area mom Deborah Del Mastro was hit with that exact tactic in early May, when a phone call quickly escalated into what felt like a hostage situation. The caller claimed Del Mastro’s daughter had been kidnapped by a Mexican drug cartel.
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Del Mastro heard her daughter’s voice over the phone, having a panic attack. The frantic mom followed the caller’s instructions to save her daughter, wiring money from various ATMs. Del Mastro told ABC7 News she only called her daughter after she sent $5,400 to scammers.
Her daughter picked up right away, and Del Mastro quickly realized the scam. "God, I couldn't believe it. I mean, I couldn't believe it. And then I did believe it," Del Mastro said.
The FBI thinks AI scams are shaking down Americans for millions. An FBI press release says 22,364 complaints, reported to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) in 2025, were tied to AI somehow. Those who reported these AI-boosted scams lost a total of roughly $893 million.
It’s the first time ever that IC3’s annual fraud report has broken out a section on AI.
Erin West, founder of scam-fighting nonprofit Operation Shamrock, told ABC7 News voice cloning is a “scamdemic” and that “it will only continue to get worse with the use of AI and deepfake technology.” As scams evolve, so must strategies for spotting them.
What an AI scam call actually looks like now
Your banker called — it’s your checking account. Someone has gotten access and used your money to purchase guns! Fortunately, they know a police officer who can help… he’s on the case. But to catch the criminal and recover your cash, he needs one thing: your login info.
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It’s a successful scam documented by the FBI, one that falls under “Account Takeover Fraud via Impersonation of Financial Institution Support.” In the FBI’s latest report, IC3 received 4,700 complaints about account takeovers, and victims lost a total of about $360 million.
AI makes it easier than ever for scammers to impersonate real people. That might be someone claiming to be your banking representative — or a grandchild in need. In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alerted the public to scams that used AI to impersonate distressed family members with voice cloning.
That was three years ago. Since then, scammers have leaned more on AI to sell the deepfake. In 2025, victims lost a reported $19 million to confidence and romance scams that revolved around AI specifically. The FBI said these scams are evolving in scope and quality.
“Deepfakes are becoming increasingly sophisticated and harder to detect,” said Sam Kunjukunju, of the American Bankers Association (ABA) Foundation. Casual inspection may no longer be enough, especially when your grandparents are involved — one in four cyber-scams were reported by victims over 60 years old.
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How much money did Deborah Del Mastro wire to scammers?
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How to protect yourself from AI scams
It’s simpler than you might think.
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The FBI and ABA suggest you create a code word. Something just between you and loved ones. If your relative says it's an emergency but doesn’t say the code word, that’s a flag. If you ask and they refuse to tell, hang up and call back via the number saved in your phone.
The FTC suggests slowing down. Scammers pressure you so you have no time to think. Yes, your grandson says it’s urgent. You can handle it by saying “I hear you, I’ll call you right back.” If it’s your relative, they’ll pick up the moment you call their real number. If it’s a scammer, the relative won’t pick up, or they’ll let you know it’s a scam.
If slowing down and calling back a desperate person feels awkward or embarrassing, well, that’s the point. Successful scammers play on your emotions.
Del Mar now shares locations with family members. "Let our horrible experience be a warning to all of you, you know, so that you will question this because I didn't question it at all," she said.
Hanging up and calling back may be the simplest solution.
Henry Ajder, an expert on AI-generated media, told CNN: “Ultimately, if you suspect that something might not be right, it is much better to have your mum or your brother or your friend laugh at you for thinking that they’re a robot than it is to potentially be running to an ATM.”
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Cole Tretheway has been covering money for four years. He started as an intern at The Motley Fool Money, covering best-of credit cards, savings accounts, and financial products. He's since expanded into wholistic personal finances, including the psychology of money.
