As scam losses soar in 2025, experts recommend leveraging AI chatbots to identify phishing attempts, but caution remains about safeguarding personal data and verifying suspicious messages through official channels.
Artificial intelligence is becoming one of the most useful tools for spotting fraud, even as it also helps criminals write more convincing scams. According to the FTC, Americans reported losing $3.5 billion to imposter scams in 2025, while the FBI said AI-related scams accounted for $893 million in reported losses. That shift has made suspicious texts and emails harder to judge at a glance, because the old warning signs of clumsy spelling and awkward phrasing are increasingly absent.
Rather than downloading a single-purpose scam app, which often offers little more than a vague verdict and a subscription pitch, Ken Colburn of Data Doctors Computer Services argues that a general AI chatbot can do the job better. In his guidance for WTOP, Colburn recommends tools such as ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini because they are easy to reach across phones, tablets and computers when a questionable message lands. He says the goal is not just to get a yes-or-no answer, but to use the chatbot as a teacher.
The most effective prompt, Colburn says, asks the AI to explain what the sender is trying to make the recipient do, what could happen if they comply and which details look suspicious. That approach can expose tactics such as fake urgency, misleading links and impersonation of banks or delivery services. The FTC has warned that imposter scams often rely on fake security alerts that pressure people into moving money to “protect” it, a pattern that mirrors the kind of fear-based messaging scammers now automate with AI.
Even so, Colburn stresses that AI should be treated as a guide, not an authority. Users should remove personal details before pasting a message into a chatbot, avoid sharing account numbers or full contact information, and never click links in unexpected messages. If something appears urgent, he advises checking directly through an official app or a phone number taken from a bill or card, not from the message itself. The broader lesson is that AI can help people slow down, spot red flags and build better habits before a scam succeeds.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to inform and educate, not to recommend or endorse any financial product, investment or strategy. Please consider your own financial circumstances and seek professional advice where appropriate before making financial decisions.
