How to Spot and Stop a Deepfake Scammer

We’ve seen technology evolve in incredible ways, but we’ve also seen how quickly it can be turned against people. One of the newest and most dangerous threats we help clients identify is the rise of deepfake scams. AI-generated videos, voices, or images designed to impersonate trusted individuals and trick victims into sending money or sharing sensitive information.

Deepfakes are no longer crude internet pranks. With today’s tools, anyone can create a convincing face, voice, or ID in minutes. Scammers use them for fake video calls, “live” identity checks, and urgent messages that sound and look legitimate. The result is a scam that feels personal, immediate, and real.

Cybersecurity experts like Steve Grobman, CTO at McAfee, recommend one simple yet powerful method to confirm who you’re speaking with: ask a question only the real person would know. Something so ordinary it would never appear on social media.

For example:

“What did we have for dinner last night?” or “Where’s the extra cat litter?”

If the answer doesn’t sound natural or comes too quickly, stop the conversation and verify through another trusted method, such as calling back on a known number.

For businesses, this principle can be built into your security policy. Confirm all high-value or unusual requests through a separate channel. Require multi-factor authentication for sensitive transactions. And train your team to see urgency as a red flag. Scammers rely on emotion to override judgment. Slowing down to verify can make all the difference.

A few misconceptions are worth clearing up. Modern deepfakes rarely stutter or lag, and many appear smooth and natural. Metadata and video quality are unreliable clues since both can be altered or stripped away.

Deepfakes don’t exploit your systems, they exploit your trust. The best defense is human awareness. Slow down, verify, and ask questions that AI can’t answer. A quick personal check can expose a fake before it costs you time, money, or reputation.