How is AI making it harder for online shoppers to spot scams?
The Better Business Bureau reports that AI-generated websites and marketing materials are making it increasingly difficult for online shoppers to distinguish between legitimate businesses and scams. Consumers are urged to take precautions such as scrutinizing deals and verifying sellers independently.
The Better Business Bureau has reported a rise in complaints about online shopping issues, with many pointing to outright scams that are becoming more sophisticated due to AI. Scammers are using AI to generate realistic websites, product images, and customer testimonials, making it harder for consumers to tell legitimate businesses from fake ones. In the past year, the BBB serving Washington state received about 740 complaints and 1,600 scam reports tied to online shopping, with consumers reporting losses totaling over $700,000. A recent example of a convincing scam is a website that advertised handcrafted stained-glass lamps but sent customers cheap plastic items or nothing at all. The BBB identified red flags on the site, including uniform deep discounts and misleading return policies. To avoid falling victim to such scams, shoppers are advised to scrutinize deals, review return policies carefully, and verify sellers independently.
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