Avoid scams using AI
When you’re unsure whether an email or text message is genuine, ask AI to check it for you. Robert Irvine tests the best free AI tools for detecting scams
While AI has many frivolous uses, it also has practical benefits for the security of your data and devices. Most paid-for antivirus software now incorporates AI to detect and block the latest threats, and there are now several free tools that use AI to identify email, text-message and WhatsApp scams.
With phishing and smishing scams becoming increasingly convincing, AI can alert you to suspicious content and stop you opening dangerous links. By sharing examples of scams, you also help improve these tools’ detection rates. Here, we test five AI scam detectors to discover which provides the most reliable results and advice.
GOLD AWARD
Bitdefender Scamio
www.snipca.com/55366
Launched in December 2023, Bitdefender Scamio was one of the first AI-powered scam detectors, and we believe it’s the best. It doesn’t have a mobile app, so you don’t need to install anything, and is free to use online and in WhatsApp and Messenger, once you’ve signed up for a free Bitdender account.
You can chat to Scamio like you’re messaging a real person and easily upload images, or paste text and links, to have it analyse the content for evidence of scams. It works by checking emails, texts and WhatsApp messages for elements such as sender information, message