It wasn’t long ago that scams were easy to spot. Think typo-filled emails from a mysterious “prince” or offers that sounded too good to be true.

Fast forward to today, and the game has changed — big time.

Thanks to artificial intelligence, scammers now have a sleek new toolkit. We're talking about fake voices that sound eerily real, emails that mimic your bank or loved ones, and websites that look just like the ones you log into for your finances.

This isn't science fiction. It's happening right now — and even the savviest among us are at risk .

But there’s good news: with a little knowledge and a few habits, you can protect yourself and your peace of mind.

What Makes These New Scams So Dangerous?

The short answer? Believability.

AI is now being used to:

• Clone voices using just a few seconds of audio — imagine getting a call that sounds like your spouse or child, asking for urgent help .
• Generate fake videos, known as deepfakes, showing public figures endorsing products or sharing alarming messages.
• Send hyper-personalized phishing messages, using details gathered from social media or public records to make you let your guard down .
• Create realistic fake websites that mimic your bank, your investment portal, or even your tax advisor's login screen .

It’s no longer just about poorly worded emails. These scams are slick, emotional, and convincing — and they’re designed to make you react before you think.

Why This Matters for Your Financial Life

This goes beyond losing money — although that risk is real.

Scams can shake your confidence. They cause hesitation when making decisions, create doubt in your legitimate financial relationships, and often lead to emotional fallout, especially when they target family ties.

And that’s why this conversation is so important. When you know what to look for, you're better equipped to protect not just your accounts, but your overall sense of control.

Simple Steps to Protect Yourself

You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to stay safe — just mindful.

Here are a few strategies we recommend to our clients and families:

• Take a breath. Scammers want you to act fast. Slowing down gives you time to assess the situation .
• Verify independently. Got a weird message or request? Call back using a number you trust — not the one in the message .
• Limit what you share online. Think of your social media profile as a treasure map. The more clues you give, the easier it is to target you .
• Create a family plan. Especially with elderly relatives or kids — agree on a “safe word” to confirm real emergencies .

Financial Planning Isn’t Just About Growing Wealth — It’s About Guarding It

At Totemic Wealth & Planning, we believe that true financial confidence comes from both opportunity and protection.

Yes, we’re here to help you build a solid portfolio, make smart tax decisions, and plan for future generations. But we’re also here to help you guard against the threats that could quietly erode that progress.

So whether you want to set up digital safeguards, talk through best practices with your family, or just make sure your broader plan is as secure as it is strategic — we’re here for that.

Let’s make sure your financial life is protected from all angles — the markets, the tax code, and yes, even scammers.

Schedule a time to talk — we’d love to help you feel more confident and secure in this ever-changing world.

Sources:

1. AARP, “How AI Is Making Scams Harder to Spot,” 2024 – Link
2. Federal Trade Commission, “Phishing Scams Can Be Hard to Spot,” 2024 – Link
3. Social Security Administration, “Resolve to Protect Yourself From Scams This New Year,” 2025 – Link