Online, Phone, SMS and Email Scams: How to Recognize Them with the Help of AI
Updated: Sep 22
Please share this guide with family, friends, or neighbors. It could save them a lot of money and stress.
Scams are not what they used to be
Years ago, scammers would knock on your door or try to deceive you in person.
Today, they can reach you through a phone call, SMS, WhatsApp, email, a letter, a QR code, social media or a website. And the most dangerous thing is that many of them look completely real.
A phone call can appear to come from your bank.
An email can carry the bank's logo.
A letter can look as if it was sent by a well-known company.
An SMS can warn you about a supposed package.
You may even hear the voice of a family member asking for help.
And now, artificial intelligence can also be used to create increasingly convincing images, videos and voices.
Scammers don't need you to be naïve. They only need to catch you at the right moment: an unexpected call, an urgent situation, a problem that appears to be real, or someone who seems to need your help.
The good news is that understanding how these scams work is one of the best ways to protect yourself.
The golden rule: if there is pressure, stop.If someone is trying to make you pay, transfer money, provide personal information or click on something immediately, don't do it. Stop and check.
Why do these scams work?
Scammers usually play on three things:
Urgency: “Do it now or you will lose your account.”
Fear: “There is a problem with your bank.”
Trust: “It's me, your son. I need your help.”
They may also use curiosity, affection, worry or the promise of making money.
The goal is usually the same: to make you act before you have time to think.
That is why one of the best defenses is very simple:
If something unexpected reaches you, don't try to solve it from the same message or call that triggered the situation.
Go straight to what you need
If you received a phone call
Can they imitate your child's voice?
Yes. There are now tools capable of generating a very convincing imitation of someone's voice from audio samples.
You may receive a call in which you hear a voice almost identical to that of your son, daughter or grandchild saying that they have had a serious problem, been robbed, arrested or urgently need money.
How it works
The caller tries to make sure you don't have time to think.
They may ask you to send money immediately and sometimes insist that you don't tell anyone else.
The warning signs
They are extremely urgent.
They ask for money immediately.
They tell you not to tell anyone.
The call is cut short or they avoid answering simple questions.
The phone number is new or unfamiliar.
The solution: a family password
Agree on a word or phrase with your family that only you know.
It doesn't have to be complicated. It could be the name of an old pet, a special place or any reference that a stranger would not easily guess.
If you receive an emergency call asking for money, ask for that word.
If they cannot answer, hang up and call that person yourself using the number you already have saved.
AI responds
If you have also received a message, you can copy it and ask:
“This message says it is from a family member who urgently needs money. Analyze it and tell me what signs could indicate that it is a scam and what I should check before doing anything.”
AI can help you identify warning signs, but the real check is to call your family member directly using their usual number.
Is your bank calling to ask for a security code?
This is one of the scams that can look very real.
Someone calls you politely and says that suspicious activity has been detected on your account. To solve the problem, they tell you that you are going to receive a text message with a code and that you must give them the code.
Where is the trap?
That code may be used to authorize a transaction.
Never give a caller a security code that you have just received to authorize an operation.
And remember something important: the name or number displayed on your phone does not, by itself, prove who is calling.
What to do
Hang up and contact your bank yourself using the official number on your card, its app or its official website.
AI responds
You can explain what happened:
“Someone called saying they were from my bank.
They told me this: [explain what happened].
What signs of a scam do you see in this call and what should I check before doing anything?”
Do not enter passwords, security codes or full account or card numbers into an AI.
The fake son, grandchild or family member in trouble
You receive a call or message from someone claiming to be your son, grandchild or another relative.
They have had an accident, lost their phone, been arrested or urgently need money.
Sometimes another person then gets involved claiming to be a lawyer, doctor or police officer.
The warning sign
They ask for money quickly and may insist that you don't tell anyone.
What to do
Hang up and call the person directly using the number you already have saved.
Do not use the number provided in the suspicious message.
AI responds
You can copy the message and ask:
“I received this message from someone claiming to be my son and asking me for money urgently.
Analyze it and tell me what signs could indicate that it isn't really him.
What should I check?”
But remember: the family password and calling the person directly are the real checks.
The fake Microsoft or Apple technician
Someone calls saying that your computer has a serious virus and that they need access to fix it.
They may ask you to install a program or allow them to control your computer remotely.
The warning sign
You did not request technical support, yet someone is calling you to solve a supposed problem.
What to do
Hang up.
Do not install programs, share your screen or allow an unknown person to control your computer.
The fake police officer or government official
Someone calls claiming to be from the tax authorities, police, a court or another government organization and tells you that you have a fine, debt or urgent problem.
The warning sign
They pressure you to pay immediately or ask you to use unusual payment methods.
What to do
Do not pay during the call.
Find the organization's official phone number yourself and check whether the problem actually exists.
AI responds
“Someone called saying they are from [organization].
They asked me to do this: [explain].
What signs could indicate that this is a scam and how can I check directly with the official organization?”
Things you should never provide during a suspicious call
If you did not initiate the call, be especially suspicious if they ask for:
Your ID number.
Date of birth.
Address.
Bank details.
Full card number.
Passwords.
Security codes received by SMS.
Information about your family.
Information about when you are alone at home.
You can simply say:
“I prefer to check this myself.”
Or:
“I'm going to contact the company using its official number.”
If you received an SMS or WhatsApp message
The fake traffic fine
You may receive an SMS saying:
“Final notice: you have an outstanding fine.
Avoid additional charges by paying within 24 hours.”
The message contains a link to make the payment.
The warning sign
Be especially suspicious of SMS messages that take you directly to a payment page through a link.
If you have a traffic notification, check it by accessing the official DGT channels yourself, rather than using the link in the SMS.
AI responds
“I received this SMS supposedly from the DGT.
Analyze it and tell me what signs could indicate that it is fake and how I can check the fine directly through the official channel.”
The package delivery scam
A message appears to come from Correos or another delivery company.
It says that your package cannot be delivered because some address information is missing or because you have to pay a small fee.
The warning sign
There is a link and you are asked to enter information or make a payment.
What to do
If you are expecting a package, access the company's official app or website yourself and check the shipment.
Do not use the link in the SMS.
AI responds
“I received this SMS about a package.
Analyze the message and tell me what signs could indicate a scam.
How can I check the shipment directly with the delivery company?”
The fake tax refund or government benefit
You receive a message that appears to come from the tax authorities, Social Security or your local government.
It says you are entitled to a refund or benefit and must enter your information to receive it.
The warning sign
You are sent a link and asked for personal or banking information.
What to do
Do not enter your information through that link.
Access the organization's official website yourself and check whether the notification actually exists.
The fake Bizum request
You receive a message from someone saying:
“Sorry, I sent you a Bizum by mistake. Can you send it back?”
But it may actually be a payment request.
If you accept without reading carefully, you may be the one sending the money.
What to do
Read carefully what transaction you are authorizing.
If you are unsure, do not accept anything and contact your bank.
AI responds
“I received this Bizum request.
Explain what transaction I am being asked to authorize and what I should check before accepting it.”
Do not share banking information or security codes with the AI.
The WhatsApp account takeover
A contact, even someone you know whose account has been compromised, asks you to forward a code you have just received by SMS.
The warning sign
That code may be used to register your WhatsApp account on another device.
What to do
Never share verification codes.
If you receive a code you did not request, do not give it to anyone.
AI responds
You can ask:
“I received this WhatsApp message and they are asking me to send a code that has just arrived.
Explain what the risk is and what I should do.”
If you received an email
Email deserves its own section because a scam can look exactly like a legitimate message.
It may carry the logo of your bank, a well-known company, a shopping platform or a government organization.
Did you receive an email with a link?
It may say:
“We detected a problem with your account.”
“Your payment has been declined.”
“Confirm your information.”
“Your account will be blocked.”
“You have an outstanding invoice.”
The warning sign
The email tries to make you act immediately and takes you to a link.
Looking only at the sender's name is not enough.
Check the sender's full email address and, above all, do not access your account through the link in the email.
How can you check a link without opening it?
On a computer, you can place your mouse over the link without clicking it.
The address it leads to will normally appear.
But be careful: a fraudulent address can look very similar to the genuine one.
And another important point:
The fact that a website uses https:// does not mean that it is legitimate.
A fraudulent website can also use an encrypted connection.
The safest option
If the email says that there is a problem with your bank account, an invoice, an account or a purchase:
Do not use the link in the email.
Open the official app yourself or type the company's address manually.
AI responds
You can copy the email text and ask:
“I received this email.
Analyze it for signs of phishing or fraud.
Pay particular attention to the sender, the language used, the urgency, the link and what it is asking me to do.
Tell me what I should check before clicking.”
If you want to analyze a link, you can ask:
“This is the link included in an email.
Analyze the domain and tell me what I should check to determine whether it really belongs to the company it claims to be from.”
Never enter passwords, access codes, full card numbers or banking information into an AI.
If you saw it online or on social media
Does that celebrity really recommend that investment?
You may find videos of television presenters, doctors, business people or other well-known individuals recommending investments, cryptocurrencies or products that promise extraordinary results.
The problem is that the image and voice of a well-known person can be manipulated using artificial intelligence, making it appear that they are recommending something they have never actually recommended.
The warning signs
Be especially suspicious if they promise:
extraordinary profits;
guaranteed returns;
quick results;
risk-free investments;
or a miraculous solution.
What to do
Do not trust an investment simply because a well-known person appears in the video.
Investigate who is behind the offer and check whether the company is actually authorized to provide the service.
AI responds
“I saw this investment advertisement featuring [name].
Search for current information about the company and tell me what warning signs you find.
Also tell me what I should verify through official sources before investing.”
AI can help you investigate, but the final verification of a financial company should also be done through the appropriate official source.
An investment can look completely real and still be a scam
This is something I have seen up close.
Someone close to me was offered the opportunity to invest in the stock market online. The offer arrived by email, they showed credentials that appeared genuine and the website looked completely professional. It even used HTTPS and the browser indicated that the connection was secure.
They started by investing a small amount and, at first, everything seemed to work. The platform showed profits, which encouraged them to gradually invest more.
In the end, they lost €65,000.
Then the website disappeared and the people they had been dealing with stopped responding.
I am sharing this because there is one idea that is important to understand:
A professional-looking website, HTTPS, apparently genuine credentials or even profits displayed on a platform do not prove that an investment is legitimate.
🔴 HTTPS does not mean that an investment is safe
The padlock or https:// means that the connection to the website is encrypted. It does not prove who is behind the website or that the company is authorized to offer investments.
A fraudulent website can also use HTTPS.
That is why, before investing, you need to check who is actually behind the platform and whether they are authorized to provide investment services.
An investment scam can start with a small amount
One of the tricks used in these scams is that everything may appear normal at first.
You can invest a small amount, see the supposed balance increase and even receive information that appears to prove that you are making money.
That can make you trust the platform and decide to invest more.
The warning sign
Seeing profits at the beginning does not prove that the investment is genuine.
And if they also promise guaranteed profits, high returns without risk or pressure you to invest more, stop.
What to check before sending money
Check:
who the company really is;
its legal name;
whether it is authorized to provide investment services;
whether there are official warnings about it;
and whether the company's details actually match the entity it claims to be.
Do not rely only on the information shown on its own website.
AI responds
“I am thinking about investing through this platform: [name].
Search for current information about it, tell me who is actually behind it, whether it is authorized to provide investment services and whether there are any warnings about it.
Do not rely only on information from its own website.
Also tell me what I should verify directly through official sources before sending money.”
And you can ask a second question:
“This is the website I was sent: [address].
Analyze the domain and look for the real company behind it.
Also check whether it could be impersonating another company and tell me what I should verify before investing.”
AI can help you investigate, but it does not replace checking the official CNMV register.
Fake online stores on social media
An advertisement offers a product at an exceptionally low price.
The website looks professional, you can add products to your cart and pay.
Then the product never arrives, you receive something completely different or the website disappears.
What to do
Before buying from a store you don't know, investigate who is behind it.
Do not be persuaded simply by a huge discount.
AI responds
“I want to buy from this store: [name or website].
Search for current information about it, reviews and possible signs of fraud. Tell me what I should check before paying.”
Miracle medicines
Advertisements promise to cure illnesses or achieve extraordinary results.
Phrases such as:
“What doctors don't want you to know.”
“The definitive cure.”
“Guaranteed results.”
What to do
Do not buy health products based solely on an online advertisement.
Talk to a healthcare professional before using a product that claims to treat a medical condition.
AI responds
“This product claims that it can achieve [result].
Analyze the claims in the advertisement and tell me what I should check before buying it.”
AI can help you analyze the advertisement, but it does not replace professional medical advice.
The romance scam
Someone contacts you through social media or an app.
They are affectionate, talk to you for weeks or months and gradually gain your trust.
Then a financial problem appears and they need money.
The warning sign
There is always a reason why they cannot meet you in person, and eventually they ask for money.
What to do
Do not send money to someone you only know online, no matter how long you have been talking.
AI responds as a second opinion
“I have been talking to this person online and they are now asking me for money because of this situation: [explain].
Analyze the situation and tell me what signs are common in romance scams and what I should check.”
Sometimes an outside opinion can help you see patterns that are difficult to recognize when you are emotionally involved.
The lottery or unexpected prize
You are told that you have won a huge prize or have been selected to receive a gift.
To receive it, you have to pay some fees first or provide personal information.
The warning sign
If you never entered, you cannot have won.
And a supposed prize that requires you to pay before receiving it is a warning sign.
The suspiciously cheap rental
An advertisement offers an amazing property at a price far below the usual market rate.
You are asked to pay a deposit before you can see it.
What to do
Do not send money until you have confirmed that the property exists, that you can visit it and who the person renting it really is.
AI responds
“I am interested in this rental.
Analyze the advertisement and tell me what signs could indicate a scam and what I should check before paying a deposit.”
What if the scam arrives by letter?
We tend to think that a letter in our mailbox is more trustworthy than an SMS or email.
But paper does not prove that a communication is genuine.
A letter may carry the logo of a bank, company, utility provider or even appear to come from a government organization.
Be especially suspicious if the letter:
asks you to pay urgently;
threatens a fine or service cancellation;
asks you to call a number that appears only on the letter;
requests personal or banking information;
offers an unexpected prize or refund;
contains a QR code to carry out a transaction.
Be very careful with QR codes
Imagine receiving a letter that appears to be from your bank:
“For security reasons, scan this QR code within 24 hours to verify your account.”
Don't scan it immediately.
A QR code can take you to a fake website that perfectly imitates your bank and asks for your username, password, card details or security codes.
The fact that the QR code is printed on a letter does not mean that it is legitimate.
What to do
If you have any doubts, access the official app yourself or type the company's address manually.
AI responds
You can take a photo of the letter and ask:
“Analyze this letter and tell me what signs could indicate that it is a scam. Pay particular attention to who claims to have sent it, what it asks me to do, the telephone numbers, addresses and QR code.
Tell me what I should check myself.”
And if it contains a QR code:
“This letter contains a QR code.
What should I check before scanning it, and how can I verify that the communication is genuine without using the QR code?”
Before uploading a photograph, cover any ID numbers, bank account details, personal codes or other sensitive information.
If someone comes to your door
The fake utility worker
Someone appears at your door claiming to be there to check the gas, water, electricity or another service.
You have no appointment scheduled.
What to do
Don't automatically open the door.
Check with the relevant company first, using an official telephone number.
The unauthorized electricity or gas supplier switch
A salesperson asks to see your bill or ID so they can “compare prices.”
With that information, they may try to arrange a contract change that you did not intend to make.
The warning sign
They put pressure on you to hand over documents or sign something immediately.
What to do
Do not give personal information, bills or banking details to someone you did not contact yourself.
If you are genuinely interested in changing provider, deal directly with the company.
AI can help you detect a scam
As you have seen throughout this article, AI can be a useful tool for analyzing a situation before you act.
You can show it:
an SMS;
an email;
a conversation;
a screenshot;
a letter;
an offer;
a website;
an investment opportunity.
But there is an important rule:
Don't simply ask, “Is this a scam?”
It is better to ask it to look for warning signs and tell you what you should verify.
For example:
“Analyze this message as if you were an expert in detecting scams. Point out all the warning signs and tell me what I should check before doing anything.”
AI can help you think more calmly and understand what questions you should ask.
But it is not an infallible scam detector.
If money, personal information or access to an account is involved, always verify the information directly with the relevant company, bank or organization.
And never enter the following into an AI:
passwords;
security codes;
full card numbers;
banking credentials;
unnecessary personal information.
How to spot a scam in 10 seconds
Before clicking, paying or responding, ask yourself:
Are they putting pressure on me?
Are they asking for money?
Are they asking for personal information?
Are they asking for a password or code?
Are they asking me to install something?
Are they telling me not to tell anyone?
Can I not easily verify it?
Does the offer seem too good to be true?
Are they sending me to a link or QR code to solve a problem?
Are they asking me to do something I would not normally do?
If any answer makes you hesitate:
STOP.
You are under no obligation to solve a problem immediately just because someone tells you to.
What you should do
Take time to think.
Call your bank yourself if money is involved.
Access the official website or app yourself.
Verify the identity of the person calling.
Ask someone you trust.
Save suspicious messages.
Ask an AI to identify warning signs.
Report the scam or attempted scam.
What you should never do
Give away passwords.
Share security codes.
Make urgent transfers because someone is pressuring you.
Install software because a stranger tells you to.
Click suspicious links.
Scan an unknown QR code to make a payment or access an account.
Give banking details to someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
Send money to someone you only know online.
What to do if you think you have been scammed
Act as quickly as possible.
If you have sent money or provided banking details, contact your bank immediately using an official channel.
Keep:
screenshots;
SMS messages;
emails;
WhatsApp conversations;
telephone numbers;
website addresses;
payment receipts.
Do not delete the evidence.
If you have given away a password
Change it immediately.
If you used the same password for other services, change it there too. Reusing a password can allow scammers to try to access your other accounts.
Whenever possible, also activate two-factor authentication.
If you have given someone access to an account, check the devices or sessions connected to it and close any that you do not recognize.
In Spain, you can also ask for help from:
017 — INCIBE, the Spanish cybersecurity helpline.
091 — National Police
062 — Civil Guard
112 — Emergency services
And don't be ashamed.
These scams are designed to trigger exactly the reactions they need: fear, trust, urgency or the desire to help.
Being scammed does not mean you are naïve. What matters is acting quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Do scams only affect older people?
No. They can affect people of any age.
What matters is not your age, but whether the scam manages to make you act without checking what is happening first.
Can they really clone someone's voice?
Yes. There are tools capable of creating very convincing imitations of people's voices.
That is why we should not rely solely on recognizing someone's voice.
A family password can help verify their identity.
How can I tell if a video has been manipulated?
It is not always easy to tell just by looking.
One useful warning sign is what the video promises: if it promises guaranteed profits, miracle cures or impossible results, be suspicious even if a well-known person appears in it.
Can AI tell me if something is a scam?
It can identify suspicious signs and help you analyze a message, letter, website or conversation.
But it cannot guarantee by itself that something is legitimate.
If money, personal information or account access is involved, always verify the information with the official source.
Can my bank recover the money?
It depends on the circumstances and the type of transaction.
The important thing is to contact your bank immediately, explain what happened and follow its instructions.
Should I report it even if I only lost a small amount of money?
Yes.
The information can help authorities identify patterns and prevent other people from becoming victims of the same scam.
How can I better protect my parents or grandparents?
Talk to them about these scams.
Explain a simple rule:
If someone calls, writes or sends a letter asking for money, information or an urgent action, stop and check it first.
One last important thing
We do more and more things online because it is convenient, fast and makes our lives easier.
We check our bank accounts, pay, shop, make appointments, complete paperwork and receive documents without leaving home.
But that convenience also has a less pleasant side: there are increasingly more ways for people to try to deceive us.
A phone call can look as if it comes from your bank.
An SMS can look as if it comes from the postal service.
An email can carry the logo of a well-known company.
A letter can look official.
A QR code can take us to a page that looks exactly like our bank's website.
And a voice can sound like someone in our family.
Just because something looks official does not mean it is.
That is why, when an unexpected communication asks you for money, information, passwords, codes or to click a link, don't rush.
And there is something else we also need to learn: you should never feel bad for wanting to check something.
Sometimes it will be someone close to you who says:
“You're so paranoid!”
“You're always questioning everything!”
“Just do it!”
“You're so slow with these things!”
Or perhaps someone who understands technology very well and does not understand why you need a little more time to check something.
That's okay.
You don't have to prove to anyone that you know how to use the internet. And you don't have to act quickly just to avoid looking suspicious, slow or overly cautious.
Stopping to check something is not being paranoid. It is being careful.
Do not use the link you were sent.
Do not call the telephone number included in the message.
Do not scan the QR code directly.
Do it yourself.
Access the official app, type the website address yourself or find the company's official telephone number and check whether the problem actually exists.
And be careful with the first Google result
Searching for a company's name or telephone number online does not guarantee that the first result is the official one.
If you need to verify something, make sure you are on the official website of the company or organization. Do not rely only on the name displayed in the search result or on an advertisement.
This is especially important when contacting a bank, government organization, utility company or any service involving money.
If you have doubts, you can also use AI to analyze the warning signs before taking action.
But when money or personal information is involved, always make the final verification through the official source.
Technology has made our lives much easier. Now we have to learn how to use it without blindly trusting what looks real.
If it comes to you, don't go through it: go directly to the official source.
Scams are constantly changing. I will update this guide when new types of fraud appear so that you can stay informed.
If you think this might help someone, feel free to share it.
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