The holidays should be about cozy gatherings, shopping lists, and maybe one too many sugar cookies — not worrying about whether that text, call, or email is real. Fraudsters are now using powerful artificial intelligence (AI) tools to make their scams more convincing than ever. Here’s what you need to know — and how to stay safe while you shop, celebrate, and share.
Fake Family Phone Calls
AI can now clone voices with just a few seconds of audio. That means a scammer could call you sounding exactly like your child, parent, or best friend, claiming they’re in trouble and need money fast.
What to do:
-Hang up and call your loved one back at a number you already know.
-Never rush to send money based on fear or urgency.
The Santa's Helper Shopping Scam
AI-generated websites and ads can look almost identical to your favorite stores. Fraudsters use them to collect your card number or sell items that never arrive.
How to protect yourself:
-Always check the URL — even one letter off is a red flag.
-Stick with trusted retailers or go directly to their official app or website.
-Use your Nymeo debit or credit card in your mobile wallet for extra security with tokenized numbers.
The Urgent Holiday Message
Scammers are using AI to write near-perfect phishing messages. They may claim your package is delayed, your account is locked, or you’ve won a contest — all to get you to click.
Stop them cold:
-Don’t click links in emails or texts from unknown senders.
-Go straight to the company’s official website or app to check your account.
-Remember: Nymeo will never text, call, or email you asking for your password, PIN, or one-time codes.
Protect Yourself This Season
Scammers may be getting smarter, but so can you:
-Turn on transaction alerts in Online/Mobile Banking.
-Review your statements weekly to catch suspicious activity.
-Set up DoubleCheck, so you can review certain overdraft-eligible transactions before they post.
-Enable two-factor authentication on accounts where available.
-Check your credit report regularly. Spotting accounts you didn’t open is one of the fastest ways to catch identity theft.
-Use SavvyMoney inside Online/Mobile Banking. It’s free, updates daily, and gives you your credit score, report, and personalized tips. Even better — it monitors for changes that could signal fraud.
At Nymeo, we want your holiday season to be filled with joy — not worry. Tools like SavvyMoney make it easy to track your credit score and get real-time alerts, while features like DoubleCheck and account alerts give you control over your money when it matters most.
Category: Home Improvement & Security
