If You Don’t Read Anything Else
- Scammers are using AI to make emails and websites look identical to Amazon, Temu, and luxury retailers.
- The top targets this year: seniors who trust email alerts, prize offers, and Facebook ads.
- Biggest red flags: look-alike URLs, unbelievable discounts, and stopwatch-style pressure tactics.
The New AI Twist: Voice Cloning & Ultra-Realistic Texts – IMPORTANT TO READ
Cybersecurity researchers are sounding the alarm this year, and for good reason. A new analysis from Forcepoint’s X-Labs team, authored by security researcher Lydia McElligott, shows how AI is helping scammers build Black Friday traps that look exactly like legitimate deals from Amazon, Temu, and major brands.
You can read the full report — “How AI is Fueling a New Wave of Black Friday Scams” — on Forcepoint’s website.
Her research includes real screenshots of phishing emails, cloned websites, and social-media ads — many of which now look polished, professional, and frighteningly believable. Seniors, who rely heavily on email alerts and familiar brands, are among the most targeted.
It’s not just emails and fake websites getting the AI treatment. Phone scams and text fraud are also evolving fast — and seniors are often the first targets. Clayton LiaBraaten, a senior executive industry expert at Truecaller, says today’s scammers are using AI to mimic the voices and messaging styles people trust most.
“Fraudsters can now use AI to clone familiar voices — a family member, a government agency, even a company rep — making phone scams harder to spot,” LiaBraaten explains. “AI-generated phishing texts are also becoming incredibly convincing, often using personal details or official branding.”
LiaBraaten says this is creating a new layer of confusion for older adults who rely on voice cues and familiar language to decide what’s real.
And while he notes that companies like Truecaller are using their own AI to detect spoofed caller IDs and suspicious patterns behind the scenes, his biggest advice for seniors is still about behavior — not technology:
“Always verify unexpected calls or messages by contacting the organization directly through an official number, never the one provided in the message. And avoid making quick decisions under pressure. A few seconds of verification goes a long way.”
Here’s what to watch for, and how to stay safe.
Amazon “Black Friday Deals” That Aren’t Real
Fake Amazon emails are the #1 scam hitting seniors right now.
AI makes them look perfect — same colors, same fonts, same Amazon wording.
If an email says you “won” something, your account is “on hold,” or your delivery is delayed — assume it’s fake until you verify it inside your Amazon app.
It doesn't stop there
Some scammers go further with “prizes” — gift cards, cash, iPhones — all designed to get quick clicks.
Also be careful with anything that's pitching jewelry or purses or "mystery/flash deals" from Temu. The jewelry/purses scams are particularly convincing down toe realistic-looking websites like this:
These sites look gorgeous — but the checkout steals your card number.
Also Be Careful with Facebook & TikTok “Flash Sale” Ads
Many seniors encounter scams not in email, but on Facebook or TikTok.
AI-generated ads now look like legitimate brand promos — complete with videos and countdown timers.
Tip: If the price is amazing but the brand’s official site doesn’t match it, it’s fake.
How to Stay Safe This Week
- Visit the retailer’s website directly — never through a link in an email or ad.
- Use credit cards only (strongest fraud protection).
- Slow down; scammers rely on urgency.
- Hover over links before clicking.
- Ignore “mystery boxes,” “you won!” messages, or prize offers.
Bottom Line
AI is making holiday scams more convincing than ever — but the patterns haven’t changed.
If something feels even slightly off… trust your gut and walk away.
