Three suggestions for avoiding employment scams: A Microsoft research clarifies frauds aided by AI.

Shikha Verma
5 Min Read

Microsoft recently published its most recent version of the Cyber Signals study, which focused on the recent wave of AI-assisted frauds that prey on online shoppers and job seekers. Over the past year, the IT giant has stopped almost 1.6 million bot signup attempts each hour and $4 billion in fraud attempts. The business has been using a variety of large-scale detection models in an effort to stop AI fraud. These models successfully stop fraud assaults by utilizing a variety of AI strategies, such as machine learning.

AI-assisted job scams

The report underscores that with the rapid proliferation of generative AI, scammers are finding it easier to create fake job listings across platforms. Often, the scammers create fake profiles using stolen credentials and post fake job requirements that have AI-generated descriptions. Some use AI-powered email campaigns to phish job seekers; others resort to AI-backed interviews and automated emails to enhance the credibility of their scams. All of this makes it difficult for job seekers to identify scam offers.

Here are three ways to protect yourself from fake jobs. These are the things that employers would never ask.

📌Personal or financial information. According to the report, unsolicited SMS or emails offering high-paying jobs with minimal qualifications or experience are usually scams. At all costs, avoid sharing personal or financial information. One should refrain from providing Aadhaar, PAN card, bank details, and passwords to an unverified employer.

📌Ask to pay for a job. Employment offers that include any kind of payment and lack formal communication can be indicators of fraud.

📌Communicate through unofficial channels. If a recruiter is communicating through text messages or WhatsApp, or even any non-business email accounts, this could be a scam. Legitimate employers use official company platforms for hiring communications. Always handle personal and sensitive information over secure platforms.

E-commerce frauds

With increasing ease of access to various AI tools, even low-skilled attackers are now capable of generating sophisticated scams. These usually range from deepfake-driven phishing to AI-generated sham websites that look like legitimate businesses. The report throws light on the fact that while earlier it used to take scammers days or weeks to execute scams, now with AI they accomplish the same in mere minutes.

The paper claims that with the aid of AI algorithms and very little technological expertise, criminals can create fraudulent e-commerce websites practically instantaneously. In the past, creating a website and carrying out these schemes would take days or even months. AI-generated product descriptions, photos, and customer reviews can be found on these websites. Customers are led to believe that these portals are authentic and that they are dealing with real businesses. Additionally, AI chatbots for customer service enhance the deception by successfully interacting with customers. By diverting customers with pre-written justifications and responding to concerns with AI-generated comments, they can also delay chargebacks.

The report also suggests various ways to safeguard oneself from AI-assisted scams. For shopping, below are three key things to do to protect yourself:

📌Do not be fooled by ‘limited-time’ deals and countdown timers. These are often pressure tactics employed to lure unsuspecting consumers into purchasing.

📌Only click verified ads. According to the report, many scam websites are disseminated through AI-optimised social media ads. It is advisable to cross-check domain names and reviews before purchasing.

📌Be wary of social proofs: These are essentially reviews and ratings that are posted to influence users. However, nowadays scammers use AI-generated reviews, influencer endorsements, and testimonials to exploit a user’s trust.

Microsoft stated in the study that it has put strong defenses in place for all of its products and services to shield users against frauds supported by artificial intelligence.

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