{"id":309096,"date":"2026-10-06T11:00:47","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T23:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/?p=309096"},"modified":"2026-09-28T12:13:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T00:13:13","slug":"what-cyber-scams-look-like","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/blog\/what-cyber-scams-look-like\/","title":{"rendered":"What cyber scams actually look like: How small businesses can avoid them"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.23″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ module_class=”table-contents” _builder_version=”4.23″ background_color=”#f3f2f6″ custom_padding=”25px||25px||true|false” sticky_position=”top” sticky_limit_bottom=”section” sticky_position_tablet=”top” sticky_position_phone=”none” sticky_position_last_edited=”on|desktop” border_radii=”on|24px|24px|24px|24px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23″ text_font=”||||||||” global_colors_info=”{}” background__hover_enabled=”on|desktop”][\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Intro” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ header_2_font_size=”32px” custom_margin=”||0px|||” custom_padding=”||28px|||” header_2_font_size_tablet=”30px” header_2_font_size_phone=”26px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Scams are more sophisticated than ever. AI has raised the stakes by giving cybercriminals tools to generate logos, imitate human voices, and craft genuine-looking emails. But while the quality has improved, the basics of how to spot a scam<\/a> haven\u2019t changed. By knowing the telltale signs of a scam, small businesses can protect themselves against AI-powered scams.<\/p>\n

How AI has changed cyber scams<\/h2>\n

AI has helped cybercriminals refine how they trick businesses and people. Before, they would spear-phish a target by gathering information themselves and writing messages designed to trick victims into revealing private information \u2014 a strategy called \u201csocial engineering\u201d. Now? Cybercriminals can use AI to scrape a victim’s social media and create messages tailored to the target, at a larger scale and faster.<\/p>\n

What AI hasn\u2019t changed<\/h3>\n

AI has improved the quality of scams, but the tactics are still functionally the same. Scammers tend to trick their victims in four key ways:<\/p>\n

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  1. Creating a sense of urgency<\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. Using names, numbers, and links that almost look real<\/strong><\/li>\n
  3. Proposing alternative payment methods<\/strong><\/li>\n
  4. Locking the channel so you can only communicate one way<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Most scams get sent en masse to hundreds, if not thousands, of potential victims, so you can foil most by taking a moment to verify details, such as calling your bank yourself or comparing website URLs. So before acting on a time-sensitive request that you received out of the blue, ask yourself, \u201cWould a legitimate person or business ever ask me these things?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Scam examples: Marty\u2019s Cafe<\/h2>\n

    Marty owns a cafe and has recently been targeted by cyber scams \u2014 some against his staff, and some against him personally. Let\u2019s identify the red flags that reveal the scams.<\/p>\n

    Using our widget example is easy; click through each scenario and find the red flags. Cycle between examples to see the difference between each scam and the tactics that never change.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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