How to Protect Yourself From a Con Artist in the Age of AI

Security experts and psychologists provide strategies for identifying and protecting oneself from con artists.

Understanding the dangers of a con artist is essential for protecting yourself against scams and fraud. Their predatory tactics can harm you and your finances, but there are things you can do to protect yourself.

Scammers are skilled at using predatory tactics that prey on emotions to trick people. You can become well-informed to protect yourself and your financial well-being from falling victim.

Taking your time before making decisions and researching the individual or business are ideal ways to protect yourself. However, you’ll want to understand con artists, their common tactics, and how to handle them.

Understanding the Con Artist

Con artists practice common scams, so it helps when you know what to watch for. It can help you understand fraud and alleviate your risk of predatory methods.

Scammers often use software to disguise their email address or phone number and make it look like it’s from a legitimate source. This technique is called spoofing and is one reason people fall for scams.

Con artists are often narcissists and exhibit personality traits enabling them to feel comfortable about scamming people. They typically try to look wealthy by dressing well and working in fancy offices. It helps them look successful and professional, making you more likely to believe them.

Scammers tend to distract their victims to divert their attention away. They’ll also mirror your body language to encourage empathy and trust.

Common Con Artist Scams to Watch For in 2026

Scammers evolve constantly, and the tactics that dominated a few years ago have been overshadowed by far more sophisticated schemes.

According to the FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report, Americans reported losing a record $20.9 billion to internet-enabled fraud in 2025 alone, a 26% increase from the year before. These are the scams most likely to target you or someone you love right now.

• Investment and cryptocurrency scams (“pig butchering”) are now the single most financially devastating scam category, accounting for nearly half of all reported fraud losses in 2025, over $8.6 billion. The name refers to how scammers “fatten up” victims over weeks or months, building a seemingly genuine relationship before steering them toward a fake investment platform. It often starts with a random text, a dating app match, or a social media DM. By the time the victim tries to withdraw their money, the platform and the scammer disappear.
• Government impersonation scams have surged dramatically. The FBI recorded nearly 32,500 complaints in 2025, almost double the year before, resulting in roughly $797 million in losses. Scammers pose as IRS agents, Social Security Administration officials, or Medicare representatives, using fear of arrest, benefit loss, or fines to pressure immediate payment. The IRS will never call you demanding immediate payment or threaten jail time. If you get a call like this, hang up.
• Tech support scams cost Americans, particularly older adults, over $1 billion in 2025, per the FBI IC3 report. A pop-up warns your computer is infected. A “Microsoft” or “Apple” technician offers to fix it remotely. Once they have access, they drain bank accounts or install malware. Legitimate tech companies do not contact you unsolicited this way.
• Romance and confidence scams remain a top threat, especially on dating apps and social media. The FTC notes that romance scams are among the hardest to recognize because they exploit genuine emotional connection. Scammers invest weeks or months building trust before asking for money, often framed as a medical emergency, a flight home, or an investment opportunity. Older adults reported $584 million in romance and confidence fraud losses in 2025 alone.
• Advance fee and lottery scams, the classics, haven’t disappeared. You’re told you’ve won a prize or inherited money but must pay a processing fee or tax first. Once you pay, the contact vanishes. No legitimate lottery or sweepstakes requires upfront payment to claim winnings.
• Recovery scams are a newer and particularly cruel variation: if you’ve already been scammed, fraudsters may contact you, posing as lawyers, government agents, or recovery specialists who claim they can get your money back for a fee. The FBI warns that recovery scams will cost victims an estimated $1.4 billion in 2025. If someone reaches out unsolicited claiming they can recover your lost funds, treat it as a scam.

The 2026 AI Scam Threat: Voice Cloning and Deepfakes

AI voice cloning is one of the newest and most unsettling tools con artists use today. Scammers can clone a loved one’s voice using just a few seconds of audio from a social media video or voicemail and then call you in a fake emergency, crying, panicked, and asking for money.

According to a 2026 McAfee survey, 1 in 10 Americans has already experienced a voice clone scam. The FBI’s 2025 IC3 Report recorded nearly $893 million in AI-related fraud losses, and that’s only what got reported.

Beyond phone calls, deepfake videos of fake celebrity or expert endorsements are running as paid ads on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, pushing investment schemes and health products that don’t exist.

The FTC recommends these steps if you receive a suspicious call:

Recognizing Manipulative Tactics and Predatory Behaviors

Con artists use manipulative tactics and psychological tricks to accomplish their sketchy goals. They use emotional manipulation because heightened emotions make it easier to convince their victims. Scammers also get to know their victims to discover what they want or need in order to manipulate them.

Online romance scams are one type of persuasion technique that involves predatory behavior and psychological manipulation. Scammers may use fake photos to romantically connect online, seeming to genuinely care about you, and then steal from you after gaining your trust. They will wait until you feel comfortable and then manipulate you into giving them money or other items.

Some of the persuasion techniques con artists use include:

• using misleading language to add credibility and grandiosity
• making you afraid about something to push you to act quickly
• complimenting their target to gain trust
• promising to help the victim reach their dreams or get rich
• starting with small requests and building up to bigger ones
• mirroring your body language and pretending to like the same things as you

Importance of Personal Information Security

Safeguarding your personal information is essential to preventing identity theft and fraud. Scammers often obtain and use personal information to steal money, and it often occurs online. They may use emails, phone calls, or text messages to convince you to reveal the information they want.

Scammers can use bank and credit card information or social security numbers to obtain what they want. They can steal your money, assets, and identity, so keeping this information private is essential.

You can implement online security measures by:

• using strong passwords
• updating your software
• don’t share your passwords or PIN
• being cautious about clicking links
• ignoring emails that ask you to click a link and share personal information
• don’t download attachments from unknown sources
• avoiding using a public computer for online shopping or entering personal information
• viewing your credit report regularly

The Power of Skepticism

Skepticism and critical thinking can help you protect yourself from con artists, so always be mindful of your money. It’s okay to question things and take time to fact-check everything. This extra step can save you from revealing personal information to the wrong person.

If an offer seems unusually favorable, it’s okay to question it. Con artists use these situations to try to trap you before you can think about it. Don’t let someone rush you into deciding because it’s worthwhile to do your research first.

Don’t provide information if you ever doubt the validity of an offer or request that requires you to give personal data. It’s best to be cautious and turn down the requests if you’re unsure how your information will get used.

Being skeptical reminds you to take the time to review offers or claims. You’ll be more likely to analyze the information and look for inconsistencies or vague explanations. Skepticism also encourages you to check online complaints about the company or person, enlightening you about other people’s experiences.

Verifying Credentials and Legitimacy

Checking credentials before doing any transactions can save you from the tactics of a con artist. Verification and legitimacy checks should always occur before you give any personal information so you don’t experience fraud.

Asking someone for their credentials can sometimes be enough to determine if they’re a con artist. Most companies requesting personal information have regulations that require them to provide it. If someone can’t, they may not be who they say they are.

You can search online for complaints by typing in the company or person’s name. If you don’t see the results you’re looking for, you can add the words “scam” to the search and try again.

When other people encounter issues, they are likely to share their experiences to prevent others from falling victim to the same scam. The Federal Trade Commission will also send you fraud alerts if you sign up for free, helping you stay aware of new scams.

Maintaining Financial Awareness

Maintaining financial awareness is one of the best ways to protect yourself from con artists and their predatory behavior. It can help you avoid money scams and practice financial safety. Some ways to avoid this predatory behavior include:

• not sharing personal or financial information with anyone
• avoiding paying upfront for prizes, goods, or services
• staying up to date on new scams so you can identify them, understand the risks, and learn to avoid them
• prioritizing cybersecurity
• questioning all deals and requests

The Role of Reporting and Legal Action

Reporting scams or suspected fraud to law enforcement can help stop con artists. Plus, pursuing legal action might be necessary if they steal your money or identity.  Throughout the experience, write down all details, no matter how minor they seem. Include the person’s name, phone number, and everything they said.

Additionally, make copies of any documents, like emails or letters. Keeping a good record can help you report scams and take legal action.

You can contact the FTC to file a complaint about a scammer online or call them at 1-877-382-4357. Another option is to report the scam to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). You can contact your local FBI office or anonymously submit a tip online.

Other options include contacting local law enforcement, including the police department or the state attorney general’s office. You can also discuss your situation with a lawyer to get more advice on how to handle it.

It’s also essential to immediately report potential fraud to your bank or credit card company. They can place restrictions on your account to prevent money from being pulled, and it makes them aware of the situation if someone has already accessed your account.

Educating Yourself and Others

The more you know about con artists, the better you can protect yourself. Community awareness and education are essential because they help you and teach those around you. Knowledge sharing allows you to tell others what you learned, and you’ll likely gain wisdom from their insights and experiences, too.

Scammers often change their tactics to prevent people from recognizing them as scams. Staying educated is essential to stay informed about recent fraud in your community or online. It’ll also help you recognize potential signs of a scam so you can prepare a proactive defense.

Final Thoughts on Recognizing the Predatory Behaviors of a Con Artist

Protecting yourself from con artists can help avoid many issues, including financial mishaps and stress. Being skeptical and practicing personal security is essential, so don’t feel bad for not believing everyone. Community awareness is also beneficial because it can help stop some of the issues in your area while protecting others.

These strategies against scams and fraud can help you keep your personal information and finances safe. Staying alert and reporting suspicious activities to law enforcement can help you and others in the community.