At Foster Group, cybersecurity isn’t just an IT responsibility; it’s a shared commitment across the entire organization.
Every person plays a role in keeping our company and our clients safe. We monitor how fraud tactics evolve so we can stay ahead and stop threats before they impact you. Artificial intelligence (AI) is software that can perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, like understanding language, recognizing patterns, making predictions, and generating text, images, or decisions by learning from data. AI has made some scams faster and more convincing, but the good news is that the steps to protect yourself remain simple and effective. In this article, you’ll find a clear roadmap, a client story, and practical Q&A you can use to guard against scammers who use AI against you.
A Client Story
To protect privacy, this is a composite situation based on multiple scenarios that we saw in 2025.
A client received a voicemail that sounded exactly like their bank, followed by a call from someone who sounded like their adult child. The voice matched, the request was urgent, and the caller asked for help moving money quickly. At the same time, the client started getting automated fraud alerts on a business credit card.
The client paused and called us first. Together, we slowed everything down.
How We Resolved It
- Verified using trusted numbers: We hung up and called their bank using the number printed on the back of their bank card. Never rely on a phone number or link provided in an alert.
- Reviewed transactions: We confirmed that several small “test” charges had already been declined by the bank. These are typical in BIN attacks. A BIN attack is a form of credit card fraud where cybercriminals use brute-force methods to systematically guess valid combinations of credit card numbers, expiration dates, and CVV values by targeting the Bank Identification Number (BIN), which is the first six to eight digits of a card that identifies the issuing bank.
- Placed a fraud alert and froze credit: This blocked new account openings and reduced exposure.
- Strengthened authentication: We guided the client to setup a passphrase with Foster Group, explained why tightening multi factor authentication on financial and email accounts is critical, and reinforced our documented call back process so that no money moves without verbal verification.
- Coached the family: We explained voice cloning, established a family passphrase, and created a simple plan for handling future “urgent” calls.
The Outcome: Funds stayed safe, confidence increased, and the client left with a clear checklist and a repeatable routine.
How AI Is Used In Scams
Here are common examples of how scammers use AI. If any of these feel familiar, call us before acting.
- Voice clone emergency call: A caller sounds like your spouse or child, says their phone is dead, and asks you to move money or share a one time passcode. AI can learn a voice from short audio clips and regenerate that voice, making it sound natural. The fix: Hang up, call the real person using a saved contact, and use a family passphrase.
- Advisor or banker impostor: You receive a voicemail that sounds like your advisor or a bank employee and an email with “updated wiring instructions.” The email looks perfect. The fix, do not use contact details inside the message. Call our office or your bank using a known number.
- Deepfake meeting invite: A criminal schedules a video call posing as your CFO or someone on your financial advisor’s team and asks for a “same day wire.” AI can overlay a convincing face and voice on a video feed. The fix: Insist on call back rules and out of band verification for wires.
- Customer service chat impostors: You click a sponsored link and end up in a chat with an AI bot that looks like your bank’s help desk. The fix, navigate directly to the institution’s website, or use the phone number printed on your card.
- SIM swap setups: Attackers convince a mobile carrier to move your number to a new SIM, then reset bank logins using text messages. The fix: Set a port out PIN (Personal Identification Number) with your mobile carrier. In addition, use app-based multi factor where possible.
Q&A You Can Use
Q: I just got a fraud alert text. Should I click the link or reply?
A: No. Use a trusted phone number. Call the number on the back of your card or the institution’s official website. If you are a client, call or email us and we will help review transactions and coordinate next steps.
Q: How does AI change the identity theft landscape?
A: AI makes imitation faster and more realistic. Attackers can clone voices, craft look alike emails, and spin up fake support chats. The upside, defenders use vetted tools to triage alerts quickly and spot unusual patterns, with humans in the loop to confirm. Our firm limits AI to approved tools, and we validate outputs before making any decision that could affect your money.
Q: What are the most important habits to adopt right now?
A: Protect yourself by establishing the following measures and precautions:
- Slow down urgent requests. Use known phone numbers to verify.
- Use a password manager. Turn on multi factor authentication for email, bank, and investment accounts.
- Freeze credit at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
- Create a family passphrase and a call back plan.
- Use separate email addresses for financial accounts and shopping.
- Review statements monthly. Small “test” charges are often the first sign of a compromised account.
Q: If I think I am a victim, what should I do first?
A: If you suspect fraud, stay calm. Then take the following actions:
- Contact your bank and custodians using known numbers.
- If you are a client, notify your Foster Group team. We will coordinate with institutions and add extra verification.
- File a report at IdentityTheft.gov.
- Freeze credit, and change your email password.
Why This Matters and How We Help
Our approach blends strong defaults with human coaching. Behind the scenes we maintain multi factor authentication, encrypted devices, proactive monitoring, on-going training and service provider due diligence. On the front end, we keep your steps simple, verify before moving money, and teach your family the habits that could make the biggest difference.
This post highlights why staying vigilant matters, especially as AI driven scams become more common. If you ever receive an urgent message, pause, verify, and reach out to The Team at Foster Group. Identity protection should feel practical, not overwhelming, and we’re here to help.
