(The Epoch Times)—Increasingly hard-to-detect deepfake content created with artificial intelligence (AI) is being exploited by criminals to impersonate trusted individuals, the FBI and the American Bankers Association (ABA) said in a report published Sept. 3.
In its Deepfake Media Scam infographic, the FBI said that scams targeting Americans are surging. Since 2020, the agency has received more than 4.2 million reports of fraud, amounting to $50.5 billion in losses. “Imposter scams in particular are on the rise … Criminals are using deepfakes, or media that is generated or manipulated by AI, to gain your trust and scam you out of your hard-earned money.”
Deepfake content can include altered images, audio, or video. Scammers may pose as family or friends, or as public figures, including celebrities, law enforcement, and government officials, it warned.
“Deepfakes are becoming increasingly sophisticated and harder to detect,” said Sam Kunjukunju, vice president of consumer education for the ABA Foundation.
According to the infographic, certain inconsistencies in the AI-generated material can help detect deepfakes.
When it comes to images or videos, people should watch out for blurred or distorted faces, unnatural shadows or lighting, whether audio and video are out of sync, whether the teeth and hair look real, and whether the person blinks too little or too much. In the case of audio, people should check whether the voice tone is too flat or unnatural.
The infographic listed three red flags of a deepfake scam—unexpected requests for money or personal information, emotional manipulation involving urgency or fear, and uncharacteristic communication from what appears to be a known individual.
To remain safe, ABA and FBI advised Americans to think before responding to emotional or urgent requests, and create code words or phrases to confirm the identities of loved ones.
“The FBI continues to see a troubling rise in fraud reports involving deepfake media,” said FBI Criminal Investigative Division Assistant Director Jose A. Perez.
“Educating the public about this emerging threat is key to preventing these scams and minimizing their impact. We encourage consumers to stay informed and share what they learn with friends and family so they can spot deepfakes before they do any harm.”
According to an Aug. 6 report by cybersecurity company Group-IB, the global economic impact of losses from deepfake-enabled fraud is estimated to hit $40 billion by 2027.
“Stolen money is almost never recovered: Due to rapid laundering through money‑mule chains and crypto mixers, fewer than 5 percent of funds lost to sophisticated vishing scams are ever recovered,” it said.
Vishing, a short form of voice phishing, refers to scammers impersonating authority figures such as government officials, tech support, and bank employees to dupe targets and steal money.
According to Group-IB, deepfake vishing relies heavily on emotional manipulation tactics. Targets of such scams include corporate executives and financial employees.
Elderly and emotionally distressed individuals are also vulnerable to deepfake vishing tactics due to their limited digital literacy and unfamiliarity with artificial voice tech, it added. As such, scams involving impersonation of familiar-sounding voices may have a bigger impact on these individuals.
In June, an elderly deepfake scam incident came to light involving a Canadian man in his 80s losing more than $15,000 in a scheme that used a deepfake of Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
In the scam, Ford was depicted promoting a mutual fund account, which the victim saw via a Facebook ad. When the victim clicked on the ad, a chat opened up convincing him to invest the money.
In June, Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) introduced the bipartisan Preventing Deep Fake Scams Act, which aims to tackle the threat posed by such fraud.
The bill seeks to address AI-assisted data and identity theft or fraud by setting up an AI-focused task force in the financial sector, it added.
“Scammers are using deep fakes to impersonate victims’ family members in order to steal their money,” Husted said.
“As fraudsters continue to scheme, we need to make sure we utilize AI so that we can better protect innocent Americans and prevent these scams from happening in the first place. My bill would protect Ohio’s seniors, families and small business owners from malicious actors who take advantage of their compassion.”
For Emergency Preparedness, Don’t Forget the Meds
Being prepared is more than just a good idea—it’s essential. We stock up on non-perishable food, bottled water, flashlights, and first-aid supplies, but one critical aspect often gets overlooked: access to vital medications. What happens if pharmacies close, prescriptions can’t be filled, or you’re cut off from medical care during an emergency?
That’s where Jase Medical steps in, offering a reliable solution to ensure you and your family have the medications you need when it matters most.
Jase Medical specializes in emergency preparedness kits designed to provide peace of mind through physician-reviewed, prescription medications delivered right to your door. Their flagship product, the Jase Case, is a comprehensive emergency antibiotic and medication kit priced at $289.95.
This kit includes 10 essential medications—five life-saving antibiotics and five symptom relief meds—that can treat over 50 common infections and illnesses, from urinary tract infections and pneumonia to skin infections and traveler’s diarrhea. With 28 add-on options available, you can customize the kit to fit your specific needs, including a KidCase for children ages 2-11.
The process is straightforward and hassle-free. Simply visit Patriot.tv/meds, complete an online evaluation, and have your order reviewed by a board-certified physician. Once approved, the medications are shipped discreetly from a licensed pharmacy to your U.S. address (with plans for Canada shipping coming soon). Each kit comes with detailed Med Cards outlining symptoms, dosing, and usage, making it easy to administer even in high-stress situations. These medications are shelf-stable and designed for long-term storage, empowering you to handle medical emergencies without relying on external help.
For those on the move, Jase Medical also offers the Jase Go kit for $129.95, a compact travel med kit covering over 30 common conditions encountered during adventures or trips. And for ongoing needs, Jase Daily provides an extended supply of your prescribed chronic medications to safeguard against disruptions in supply chains or extreme weather events.
Don’t just take our word for it—thousands of satisfied customers have given Jase Medical a 4.9-star rating, praising its role in true preparedness. As radio host Glenn Beck warns, “The supply lines for antibiotics already are stressed to the max. Please have some antibiotics on hand… You can do it through Jase.”
Whether you’re prepping for a hurricane, a power outage, or simply the uncertainties of daily life, Jase Medical ensures you’re not caught off guard. Head to patriot.tv/meds today to customize and order your emergency kit—because when it comes to your health and safety, it’s better to be prepared than sorry.
Deep fakes should be labeled as such or subject to excessively high fines when detected. Otherwise, the inability to tell truth from error will throw the world into chaos. The lying media has been bad enough…but undetectable and uncontrolled deep fakes will make lying media look like a Sunday sermon.