You’re at a funfair, playing whack-a-mole. You’ve played before. A mole pops up—you hit it. Easy.
Then something strange happens.
The next mole sprays water in your face. You laugh. “Weird, but okay.”
Then another one pops up. You hit it—it sprays again, but this time the water smells funny. Then it’s blue. Then it talks. It sounds just like your friend. “Hey, can you send me your password real quick?”
Wait… what kind of game is this?
The Scam That Learns
Scams used to be obvious. Bad spelling. Weird links. Strange requests.
Now, scammers use artificial intelligence (AI) to copy voices, faces, and messages. They can sound like your boss. Look like your friend. Even act like someone you know.
And just like that mole, they get smarter every time you react.
Here’s how it might go:
– First Trick: A weird email or text. You ignore it. No big deal.
– Second Trick: A phone call from someone who sounds like your coworker. They ask for a password.
– Third Trick: A video call. It looks like your manager. But it’s fake—a computer-generated video.
– Fourth Trick: The scammer knows your name, your job, even what you posted online last week. They use it to gain your trust.
– Fifth Trick: You click a link. You log in. Now they’re inside your account.
– Final Trick: They sneak into your website or online shop. They steal customer info. Or change your homepage. Or worse.
How to Stay Safe
You don’t need to be a tech expert. Just follow these simple steps:
– Pause before clicking or replying. If something feels off, it probably is.
– Check with the person another way—call or message them directly.
– Use strong passwords and turn on two-factor login (like a code sent to your phone).
– Keep your apps and websites updated so they’re harder to hack.
– Watch for weird stuff—like strange logins, changes to your site, or customer complaints.
The Game Has Changed
This isn’t just a game anymore. The moles are smarter. They wear disguises. They talk back. And they’re after more than just laughs—they want your trust, your info, your money.
But you can win.
Stay alert.
Ask questions.
Don’t be afraid to say, “Hold on, let me double-check.”
Because in this new game, the best move isn’t always to swing—it’s to think.