- McAfee tool detects email, SMS and deepfake scams on social media and elsewhere
- He says victims lose an average of nearly $1,500 to scammers.
- You will need to be a paying McAfee customer to receive protection
Fraudsters are leveraging increasingly sophisticated AI technology to create convincing AI-generated emails, text messages, and deepfake videos.
A recent McAfee survey found that nearly two-thirds (59%) of Americans have been scammed or know someone who has been, with average losses reaching nearly $1,500.
To address this trend, the antivirus software company launched its AI-powered fraud detector, a solution designed to prevent users from falling prey to these digital traps.
McAfee Scam Detector
McAfee’s fraud detector is powered by Smart AI, the same technology used in the company’s online protection tools.
This system identifies and flags suspicious emails and text messages before users interact with them. Additionally, it flags AI-edited videos that might impersonate trusted personalities or promote fake endorsements.
It blocks potential threats and provides explanations to help users understand why a message or video is dangerous and uncover common scam tactics.
The company revealed that this tool will soon be available in other languages, including French, German and Japanese, ensuring wider accessibility.
This tool integrates with popular platforms such as Gmail, Outlook, Android and iOS. Users do not need to manually scan links or upload files for review; the tool works automatically. If a potential scam is detected, a notification will be sent to the user.
Starting this spring, Scam Detector will be included in McAfee+ and Total Protection plans at no additional cost.
Once activated, the tool provides real-time protection, running continuously on a user’s smartphones, laptops and tablets.
“Fraudsters are getting smarter every day, using technologies like artificial intelligence to make their tricks more convincing and harder to spot,” said Steve Grobman, chief technology officer at McAfee.
“They play on people’s emotions – like fear, urgency or confidence – to get what they want,” he added.
“That’s why we created the AI-powered McAfee Scam Detector. It alerts you to scams before they can cause damage, helps you stay in control of your personal information, and helps you learn the skills needed to thwart scammers for good.
