Shoppers in the UK are being told to take care when buying online. Criminals are using artificial intelligence to make their scams more convincing, according to National Trading Standards.
The body has drawn up an AI scam watchlist for the first time. It highlights some of the tools and techniques that fraudsters are now using to trick people out of their money.
Fake Shops Posing as UK Businesses
Some criminals have built websites for fake retailers. These sites claim to be family-owned firms selling quality products made in the UK.
The websites may show AI-generated images of a UK High Street. Some pictures include Union Jack flags to make the business look local and trusted.
Trading standards officers say people who order from these sites often face problems. The product may never arrive, or it may turn out to be a cheap, mass-produced item from a country such as China.
The watchlist says AI lets criminals create cloned or new websites quickly and at a low cost. These sites can look polished and professional, which makes them hard to tell apart from real shops.
AI is also being used in romance scams. The technology can remember personal details about victims and keep conversations going for weeks or months.
Deepfake videos and cloned voices are another tool. Criminals use them to pretend to be family members or close friends who need money for an “emergency.”
AI can also produce phishing emails, text messages and social media posts on a huge scale. These messages can be personalised and free of errors.
How to Protect Yourself From AI Scams
Some older ways of spotting scams may no longer work as well. Consumer group Which? says typos and grammar mistakes can no longer be relied on as warning signs.
Trading standards advises people never to send money, gift cards or personal or financial details to someone they have not met in person. It also says people should not assume someone is genuine just because they have heard their voice or seen them on a video call.
Doing research is also recommended. This includes checking whether a shop’s address is real and contacting a business directly to confirm a job advert is genuine.
People can use the Financial Conduct Authority’s Firm Checker to see whether a company is authorised to give financial advice. This is one of the checks trading standards suggests before handing over money.
Officials say people should stop and think before paying, sharing personal information or taking any action. They warn that criminals often use pressure or urgency so victims act before they have time to think.
Fraud and scams can be reported to Report Fraud or by calling 0300 1232040. People can also call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 for advice.
