AI chatbot fraud: how to protect your money

We’re all using more digital tools every day, especially AI chatbots. But as they grow in popularity, so do the scams. And with some looking completely legit, it’s difficult to detect what’s real and what’s fraudulent.  

Here’s one to watch out for.

What’s the AI chatbot subscription scam?

You sign up to an AI tool or chatbot, maybe even a free trial. Then later, you start seeing charges on your card that look like they’re from that same service.

At first glance, everything seems normal. You might assume it’s part of your subscription. But in reality, those payments could be fraudulent.

Why it’s easy to miss

These scams are designed to blend in. The charges often:

• look like regular subscription fees
• start small, then gradually increase
• come through recognised payment platforms

Because of this, your bank might not flag them straight away, and you might not question them either.

In some cases, scammers may also have accessed your email or account details, making the activity even harder to spot.

What you should do

If something doesn’t look right, act quickly:

• check your statements regularly so you can spot unusual payments early
• contact your bank immediately to report the transaction and request a chargeback
• cancel any suspicious subscriptions via the service’s support team
• change your passwords, especially your email and linked accounts
• turn on two-factor authentication for extra security

The key is staying alert. If you keep an eye on your accounts and question anything unfamiliar, you’re far less likely to get caught out.