Not everything you see or hear online is real. Advances in artificial intelligence have made it easier than ever for criminals to create convincing fake voices, photos, and videos. These are known as deepfakes. You may receive a phone call that sounds like a family member asking for money, a video that appears to show a public figure promoting an investment, or a voicemail that sounds exactly like your boss. These scams are designed to create panic or urgency so you'll act before thinking. If you receive an unexpected request involving money, gift cards, sensitive information, or an urgent favor, pause and verify it through another trusted method, such as calling the person using a known phone number or speaking with them directly.

A healthy dose of skepticism is one of the best defenses against AI-powered scams. As AI technology continues to improve, remember that seeing, or even hearing, is no longer proof that something is genuine.

Do you like these weekly tips? If you've missed some, are new to the university, or want to search for a tip on a certain topic, these are all stored in our Tip Archive.