The Better Business Bureau is urging caution as Artificial Intelligence (AI) ramps up helping scammers get your personal information quicker and easier.

Spokesperson Julia Lewis tells our newsroom as AI becomes more sophisticated and accessible, they are seeing more instances of it being used.

“You may have had an information breach where someone accessed your address, and then you had another information breach where someone accessed your date of birth and that information is out there on the dark web,” says Lewis.

What to watch out for?

Being approached by a scammer involves things like receiving text messages from someone you don’t know, unexpected messages on social media or suspicious links.

“Often scammers try to look for pieces of information because they may have your date of birth, or they may have your address, or they’re missing your postal code.  Or they have your date of birth in reverse,” says Lewis.

Lewis adds, they are trying to confirm the information they already have or pull things together to create a full picture.

What to do if you do get scammed

First, prevention is key.

Continue to monitor your accounts and use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication.

But, if you do get hacked, Lewis says, reach out to the BBB.

“We have a scam tracker tool where you can report your scam. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has a lot of really useful information. They can help you with next step,” adds Lewis.

She adds, it is a little scary, but knowledge is key.

“If you keep yourself aware, keep yourself on your toes so that you’re not mistakenly giving out information that you shouldn’t,” notes Lewis.