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AI and the Rise of
Smarter Scams

  • January 13, 2026

AI and the New Face (and Voice) of Fraud


Criminals are now using artificial intelligence to create more convincing and emotionally manipulative scams. From cloning a loved one’s voice to sending highly believable phishing emails, AI is helping scammers gain access to personal information and your money.

What is AI-Driven Fraud?

AI tools can now:
  • Clone voices using short audio clips from social media or voicemail greetings.
  • Write convincing phishing emails and texts that look like they’re from Monterra Credit Union, credit card companies, your employer, family, etc.
  • Impersonate people in video or audio to pressure victims into sending money quickly.
These scams rely on urgency and emotion to get you to act before you verify.

Common AI Scam Scenarios

  • “Family Emergency” Calls: You receive a frantic call that sounds exactly like your child or grandparent asking for immediate help and money.
  • Fake Fraud Alerts: A text or email says there’s suspicious activity on your account and directs you to click a link or share a one-time passcode.
  • Impersonation Requests: A “boss” or “credit union representative” asks you to move money quickly using Zelle, gift cards, wire transfers, or crypto.

Red Flags to Watch For

  • Pressure to act immediately or keep it a secret.
  • Requests for one-time passcodes or login details.
  • Unusual payment methods like gift cards or crypto.
  • Links that look slightly off or come from unknown senders.

How to Protect Yourself

•    Create a family safe word: Agree on a word only your family knows. If a caller can’t provide it, hang up.
•    Always verify separately: Call the person back using a trusted number you already have.
•    Never share one-time passcodes: Monterra Credit Union won’t ask for these.
•    Secure your accounts: Use strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication.
•    Set transaction alerts: Early detection can stop losses fast.

Think You’ve Been Targeted?

Contact Monterra Credit Union directly at (650) 363-1725, stop by your nearest branch, and visit our Fraud & Security Center to report fraud of any kind. You can also report the scams to:
•    FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): www.ic3.gov
•    FTC:  www.ReportFraud.ftc.gov
•    For Identity Theft Recovery: www.IdentifyTheft.gov

The Bottom Line

A simple routine of pausing, verifying, and using your family safe word can prevent a moment of panic from becoming a costly mistake. You CAN #OutsmartTheScam!