FTC chair Lina Khan warns AI could 'turbocharge' fraud and scams
FTC Chair Warns AI Could Make Scams Easier. Scams Have Always Existed. Here's How to Protect Yourself.
What Happened
FTC Chair Lina Khan made public statements warning that artificial intelligence technology could make it easier for scammers to create more sophisticated fraudulent schemes. She expressed concerns about AI's potential to enhance existing criminal tactics.
Historical Context
Fraud has existed throughout human history - from snake oil salesmen in the 1800s to telemarketing scams in the 1990s to phishing emails in the 2000s. The FTC reported $8.8 billion in fraud losses in 2022, but this represented the same percentage of GDP as fraud losses in previous decades. New technology has always been weaponized by bad actors: the telephone enabled phone scams, the internet enabled email phishing, social media enabled romance scams. Each technological leap brings both new opportunities for criminals and new tools for detection and prevention.
What's In Your Control
• Whether you verify requests for money or personal information through independent channels
• How much personal information you share online and with whom
• Whether you educate elderly relatives about common scam tactics
• Your decision to pause and think critically when something feels urgent or too good to be true
• Whether you report suspected scams to help protect others
Does This Require Action?
This requires awareness and preparation, not panic. Permission granted: You don't need to fear AI or avoid technology. The same common-sense principles that protect against traditional scams work against AI-enhanced ones—verify before you trust, slow down when pressured to act quickly.
Source: CNN