Tech Scams to be Aware of in 2026
Last Updated on 6 October 2026
Every time banks, phone networks, or regulators close one gap, fraudsters find another, usually with the help of whatever new technology happens to be available. In 2026, that technology is primarily AI, and it’s showing up in almost every type of scam doing the rounds. Here’s what to watch for, and how to protect yourself.
Job scams that play the long game
The old version of this scam was simple: pay an upfront fee for “training” or “equipment,” then the job disappears along with your money. That still happens, but a slower, more convincing version is taking over. Fraudsters are now running fake work-from-home roles that last for weeks or months. You get onboarded, given tasks, maybe even paid a small amount early on to prove the job is real. Trust builds. Then, once you’re comfortable, you’re asked to “invest” money into the business, a client account, or a piece of software you need to do your job. That money doesn’t come back.
The lesson here isn’t to avoid remote work, it’s to slow down before you hand over cash for any job, no matter how legitimate it has felt so far. A genuine employer will never ask you to pay them.
Fake financial advisors built entirely by AI
AI text generation and deepfake video have reached a point where scammers can build an entire online persona from scratch: a financial advisor, a legal expert, someone offering “insider” investment tips. These personas post consistently, appear in video, answer questions, and build large followings on social media. None of it is real, but it doesn’t need to be. The following itself becomes the credibility, and that credibility is then used to sell fake investment opportunities or bogus legal advice.
If you’re considering an investment, check the FCA register to confirm the firm is authorised. For legal advice, check the Solicitors Register. A polished social media presence, even one with thousands of followers, tells you nothing about whether someone is who they claim to be.
Spear-phishing gets more personal
Data breaches at major retailers keep handing scammers fresh personal information: names, addresses, order histories, sometimes partial payment details. That data gets used to craft messages that feel specific to you rather than generic. A text that references a real recent order. An email that knows your bank. A call that already has enough detail to sound legitimate.
One particular danger here is being tricked into handing over a one-time passcode. No bank or retailer will ever ask you to read one back to them over the phone or text. If you’re asked for a code you didn’t request, that’s the scam, full stop.
The best defence is the same one that’s always worked: don’t click links in unexpected emails or texts, and don’t enter personal information anywhere you were led to by a message rather than a site you opened yourself. If a call or text claims to be from your bank, HMRC, or a retailer, hang up and contact them directly using a number or website you already trust.
Voice cloning takes over from number spoofing
UK phone networks are tightening the rules around spoofed numbers, making it harder for scammers to disguise where a call is really coming from. In response, expect more scammers to lean on AI voice cloning instead. A call might not show a fake number anymore, but the voice on the other end could still be an impersonation of a bank representative, an HMRC official, or tech support, generated or manipulated to sound convincing.
This means the number on your screen, or even the voice you’re hearing, isn’t proof of who you’re talking to. If someone calls asking for money, account details, or remote access to your computer, hang up and call the organisation back using a number from their official website.
Age verification as a route to your data
New requirements under the Online Safety Act mean more websites now ask users to verify their age. Scammers are using that as cover, sending fake verification links designed to steal personal information or biometric data, and in some cases pushing malicious VPN apps that quietly harvest browsing history and login credentials.
Only complete age verification when the prompt appears directly on the platform that actually requires it, not through a link sent by email or text. If you do use a VPN, stick to a well-known, reputable provider rather than one promoted through an unsolicited message.
What ties all of this together
Across every one of these trends, AI is doing the heavy lifting. It’s what makes fake personas believable, fake voices convincing, and fake messages personal enough to catch you off guard. The tools scammers use have changed, but the underlying advice hasn’t: verify unsolicited contact independently, don’t hand over information through links you didn’t seek out, and be sceptical of anything that pushes you to act quickly or pay upfront.
The best approach is to slow down. Verify unexpected messages independently, avoid clicking links you were not expecting and never hand over money or sensitive information simply because someone is putting pressure on you.
If you are exploring betting-related strategies online, it is also worth understanding what is matched betting so you can tell the difference between a legitimate betting method and websites making unrealistic promises about guaranteed profits. If you are checking for casino offers, it is important to do your research and find the one which gives you the most.
If you do fall victim to a scam, contact your bank straight away and report it to Action Fraud, or to police on 101 if you’re in Scotland. The faster you act, the more options you have.