FBI Warns of AI-Powered Romance Scams and Toll Collection Smishing: Stay Vigilant Online

The FBI is alerting the public to the increasing sophistication of online romance scams, now amplified by artificial intelligence. These scams, which cost victims over $1 billion in 2023, often begin on social media or dating apps, where scammers build trust before requesting money for fabricated emergencies. AI enhances these schemes by creating realistic voices and images, making them harder to detect. Simultaneously, toll collection smishing scams are on the rise, with fraudsters impersonating tolling agencies to steal sensitive information. Victims receive texts about unpaid tolls, prompting them to click malicious links. The FTC warns that these links can lead to identity theft. To protect yourself, avoid clicking on links in unexpected texts, verify requests with official agencies, and report suspicious messages to authorities.