What The Tech: How A.I. is helping stop scammers
BY JAMEY TUCKER, CONSUMER TECH REPORTER
There was a time when spotting a scam online was easy.
The fake emails had terrible grammar. The text messages sounded awkward. Suspicious websites looked cheap and unfinished.
Not anymore. Scammers are now using artificial intelligence to create polished emails, realistic text messages, and convincing fake websites that are much harder to recognize. And that has cybersecurity experts concerned.
The good news is that the same AI technology scammers are using can also help consumers fight back. Malwarebytes, a cybersecurity company known for protecting devices from malware and online threats, has integrated its scam detection tools into the AI chatbot Claude.
The idea is simple. If you receive a suspicious text, email, or website link, you can ask AI whether it appears legitimate. For example, if you receive a text claiming you owe money for an unpaid toll fee or traffic ticket, you can copy and paste the message into Claude and ask:
“Is this a scam?”
The AI compares the message against Malwarebytes’ threat intelligence database and explains why the message may be dangerous. In some cases, Claude can even analyze website domain registrations and other warning signs to determine whether a site is fake. It can also identify legitimate messages. In one example, Claude correctly identified an Office Depot promotional email as authentic instead of fraudulent.
To enable the feature in Claude:
• Open Claude
• Go to Customize
• Select Connectors
• Search for Malwarebytes
• Tap Connect
Another useful tool is Scamwise.com, a free website that analyzes suspicious messages and screenshots. Users can upload images of questionable emails or texts to find out whether they are likely scams.
The site tracks many of today’s most common fraud attempts, including:
• Fake delivery notifications
• Phishing emails
• Romance scams
• Travel scams
• AI-generated fraud
Cybersecurity experts still warn consumers not to rely entirely on AI tools.
You should never paste passwords, banking information, Social Security numbers, or other sensitive personal data into a chatbot. And while AI can be helpful, it can still occasionally make mistakes.
But as scammers continue using artificial intelligence to create more convincing fraud, AI-powered detection tools may help consumers stay one step ahead.
