New York Officials Warn Holiday Shoppers of AI-Enhanced Scams
New York State officials are cautioning holiday shoppers about a significant increase in sophisticated scams, largely attributed to artificial intelligence (AI). According to Newsday, AI is making fraudulent schemes, such as fake retailers and bogus celebrity endorsements, much harder to distinguish from legitimate offerings. Katie Sherwin, director of New York's Division of Consumer Protection, advises consumers to "assume that everything is a scam from the start" and to be wary of outdated advice for spotting scams, as AI has rendered traditional indicators like misspellings and poorly designed websites less reliable. The risks include counterfeit merchandise, goods that fail to meet advertised standards, or even no delivery at all. Internet purchase scams are particularly prevalent in New York, especially during the holiday season. Long Island consumers alone reported $26.3 million in scam losses in 2025, an increase from $24.2 million in 2024.
