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AI can make phishing emails, texts, and voice messages sound convincing. Polished wording is not proof that a message is genuine, and there is no reliable visual or writing-style test established here for spotting AI-generated scams. Focus instead on what the message asks you to do, then verify that request through a separate, trusted channel.
How do I spot an AI phishing email or text?
Phishing is a message designed to trick you into clicking a harmful link, downloading a file, or handing over information. It can arrive by email, text, social media, or even as a voice message. AI can make the wording more persuasive, but it does not change the safest way to assess the message: look at its context and requested action.
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NIST advises taking a “second, or third, look” at messages asking you to click a link, download a file, transfer funds, log in, or submit sensitive information. Its guidance was updated August 19, 2025: NIST phishing guidance.
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Look for pressure and unexpected requests
- An unexpected attachment or link, especially one tied to an account alert, invoice, payment problem, delivery notice, or refund.
- Urgent, frightening, or emotionally appealing language that pushes you to act before checking.
- A request for personal, financial, account, or authentication information, including a sign-in password or one-time code.
- A request that does not fit your relationship with the sender or the situation you know about.
These are reasons to pause and verify, not proof by themselves that a message is fraudulent. An unexpected message can be legitimate; the important question is whether the specific request is real.
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Check sender details, but do not rely on style
Compare the sender address, phone number, or web address with a source you already trust. Small spelling changes and shortened URLs can be clues that something is wrong. Poor grammar can also be a clue, but CISA describes it as less common; correct spelling and polished prose do not establish authenticity. See CISA’s phishing tip sheet.
The FBI warns that impersonation scams can use AI-generated voice messages as well as texts, and that AI-generated content can be difficult to identify. A voice that sounds natural—or a message that looks professionally written—is not a reliable authenticity test. The FBI’s advice is to research the person, number, or organization independently and call a separately identified number to check: FBI alert on AI-powered impersonation scams.
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Can AI phishing emails look real?
Yes. AI can help scammers produce convincing language, so spelling, grammar, tone, and apparent professionalism are weak tests on their own. The sources cited here do not establish a dependable visual clue, voice cue, or AI detector that can confirm a message is fake. Do not try to guess whether AI wrote it; check whether the sender and requested action are genuine.
The FTC reported that email was the top method scammers used to contact people in 2024 in an April 2025 consumer alert. That figure describes 2024 contact methods; it is not a measure of how many phishing messages were AI-generated: FTC consumer alert on scammers’ contact methods.
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How can I verify a suspicious message safely?
- Pause. Do not click, download, reply, transfer money, sign in through the message, or provide a code while you check it.
- Check whether the contact makes sense. Do you have an account with the company? Do you know the person, and were you expecting this request?
- Find contact details independently. Use a saved bookmark, the organization’s official app or website, a number on your card, or a known contact directory. Do not use the message’s link or phone number.
- Contact the supposed sender through that trusted route. Ask whether they sent the message and whether the particular request is genuine. Confirm the request itself, not just the sender’s identity: a real person or organization can be impersonated.
- If it is not confirmed, report and delete it. Do not use an unsubscribe link in a suspicious message; CISA notes that it could itself be a phishing link.
What should I do if I clicked a phishing link?
Choose the response based on what happened. If you only opened a message, that is different from entering a password, sharing financial information, or downloading a file.
If you shared personal or financial information
Contact the affected bank or service using independently verified contact details. For identity information exposed in the United States, use IdentityTheft.gov for steps tailored to what was shared.
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If you entered a password or account code
Contact the affected service through its official app or website, change the compromised password, and secure the account. If you reused that password elsewhere, change it on those accounts too. Do not use a link from the suspicious message to reach the service.
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The FTC advises updating your security software, running a scan, and removing anything the scan identifies. Its guidance on responding to scams and protecting devices is at FTC: How to avoid a scam.
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Report it using the appropriate route
These reporting channels are for the United States. The FTC advises forwarding phishing emails to [email protected], reporting them at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and forwarding phishing texts to SPAM (7726). For suspected internet crime or an FBI impersonation campaign, report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov. Readers elsewhere should use their country’s official consumer-protection or cybercrime reporting service.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which safeguards help, and what can they do?
| Safeguard | What it helps with | What it cannot do |
|---|---|---|
| Spam filtering and security software | Screening suspicious messages and protecting devices; keep software and devices updated. | Cannot guarantee that every phishing message will be blocked or determine whether a particular request is genuine. |
| Independent verification | Checking a specific message or request through a known-good website, phone number, or separate conversation. | Does not prevent every scam; you must pause and make the check before acting. |
| Multi-factor authentication (MFA) | Makes account access harder if a scammer obtains your username and password. A security key is one possible MFA method. | Does not tell you whether a message is authentic, and is not a reason to share a sign-in code with someone who contacts you. |
| Reporting and recovery services | Provide a route to report suspected scams and get steps after information is exposed. | Do not verify a message before you act; the reporting and recovery links above are US-specific. |
The FTC recommends automatically updating security software and devices, using MFA, and backing up data. NIST’s small-business guidance also encourages MFA, particularly phishing-resistant MFA on sensitive accounts. A FIDO2 hardware security key is an optional form of phishing-resistant MFA—not a phishing detector or a requirement for recognizing a scam.
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