AI-Driven Scams on the Rise: Equity Bank Shares Tips to Protect Your Money

Cybercriminals are getting smarter by the day, and AI-driven scams are their newest trick to steal your identity and money.

Instead of chasing passwords, fraudsters are now after biometric data and e-signatures which include your face, voice, and handwritten signature, using sophisticated artificial intelligence tools.

One of the most common tactics in cybercrime, phishing has taken a dangerous turn with more AI-driven scams.

These are fake emails, texts, and websites that look exactly like those from your bank or other trusted institutions in order to deceive unsuspecting users into divulging sensitive information, personal or financial.

With a recent report by the cybersecurity company Kaspersky revealing a sharp rise in AI-driven scams globally, Kenyan users and businesses are in a state of alarm.

According to the report, more than 142 million phishing links were blocked worldwide between April and June of 2025, while Africa witnessed a disturbing 25.7 percent increase in such attacks.

Bad actors also use AI-made videos and cloned voices to impersonate top executives and officials in order to dupe the victims into transferring money or giving away sensitive company data.

A Real-Life Example

Take Judy, for example. She got what appeared to be an urgent message from her bank, asking her to verify her account via a link. The link brought her to a website that looked exactly like her bank’s official site. The page asked her to allow access to the camera for “identity verification” through facial recognition.

Luckily, Judy paused. She remembered the past warnings her bank had given regarding such scams. She called the bank’s official customer care line, and she was told that it was a fraud message; hence, her quick decision saved her from losing money and personal data. The bank later confirmed it never requests biometric information or verification links via text messages.

How to Stay Safe from AI-Driven Scams

1. Verify all links – Never click on links from suspicious emails or messages; always confirm with the bank.
2. Protect your biometric data by not giving access to your camera or microphone from any website or application you do not fully trust.
3. Secure your devices: Use strong passwords and make sure two-factor authentication is enabled.
4. Avoid public Wi-Fi – always use mobile data when doing transactions that involve sensitive financial information.
5. Stay Alert: Immediately report any suspicious messages, calls, or requests to your bank.

Equity Bank’s Security Tips

Equity Bank has urged its customers to be vigilant and take precautionary measures against AI-driven frauds and other scammers.

Here’s what you should always remember:

Keep your PIN, CVV, passwords, and OTPs secret-your bank will never ask for them.

Ensure that the information for any transaction you are about to perform is correct on your screen.

Avoid using public Wi-Fi for online banking; instead, use mobile data.

Memorize your PIN, and shield your keypad when you enter it.

Use different passwords for banking and social media sites.

Only download banking apps from official stores, and enable two-factor authentication.

If your card becomes stuck at an ATM, contact your bank and don’t accept assistance from strangers.

Always confirm payment instructions with your bank before sending money.

Report lost IDs and passports to your bank immediately and to the authorities.

Watch for suspicious transactions and report them immediately.

Official calls from Equity Bank come from 0763 000 000 beware of other numbers.

Equity Bank will never ask you to top up airtime, threaten to close your account, or request any sort of “activation codes.”

Report suspicious SMS or phone numbers to 333 absolutely for free.

Stay Ahead of the Fraudsters Scammers get shrewder with each passing wave of AI-related fraud, and being in the know is key; always verify communications, protect your biometric information, and keep your personal data private.

For further verified banking safety tips, please go to Secure Banking Tips | Equity Bank Kenya. #KataaUtapeli #KaaChonjo

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