AI-driven scams are expected to surge ahead of Black Friday. Heres how to spot the fake [Video]

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Black Friday is approaching fast and this year online scammers are equipped with artificial intelligence.

AI-driven scams and deepfake technology are more enhanced than ever this holiday season.

59% of Americans say they’re more concerned about being scammed online than they were at this time last year, according to McAfee’s 2024 Global Holiday Shopping Scams Study.

The study shows how AI-powered scams are taking over social media and even targeting consumers via email and text. That’s why Billey Steeghs, COO of the local cybersecurity firm OnDefend, says that even messages appearing to come from trusted influencers or brands need to be closely examined.

“These things are now very difficult to see. You see very prominent people in product endorsements or product reviews or before and after that look like this product did a great job, but essentially the content is fake,” Steeghs said.

The quality of online scams is significantly increasing, which Steeghs calls “scary.” Even …