Artificial Intelligence (AI) scams are on the rise in Central Alabama, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warning of a significant increase in AI-driven cyber threats. The FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report shows that cyber-enabled crimes defrauded Americans of nearly $21 billion, with cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence-related complaints among the costliest.
Targeting Vulnerable Groups
Senior citizens and young people are particularly vulnerable to these scams. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) reports a 10% increase in scam reports involving people 55 and up since 2023. Meanwhile, young people are also at risk due to their trust in the internet and the ease with which AI-generated explicit photos can be created.
The FBI cautions everyone to be suspicious of any communication that demands immediate payment, applies pressure, looks too good to be true, or requests clicking on a link. Experts urge individuals to call the relevant business or government agency directly if they receive questionable requests, rather than using the telephone number provided in the suspicious communication.
AARP and the BBB offer resources to help individuals protect themselves from scams, including scam alerts and tips on spotting scams. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov) and tips.fbi.gov also provide reporting tools and resources.
Original reporting: The Tuscaloosa Thread — read the source article.
