6 Actionable Steps to Protect Your Business from AI Scams

In today’s digital landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) is a double-edged sword. While it powers innovation, it also fuels sophisticated scams targeting small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). From deepfake videos impersonating CEOs to AI-crafted phishing emails that seem eerily legitimate, these threats can lead to financial losses, data breaches, and reputational damage. A 2023 report revealed that 77% of businesses targeted by AI voice cloning scams suffered financial losses, underscoring the urgency for robust defenses.

For SMBs, staying ahead of these threats is critical to survival. Below, we outline six practical steps to protect your business from AI scams and explain how Pronto Tech can be your trusted partner in safeguarding your operations.

1. Prioritize Regular Cybersecurity Training

AI scams thrive on human error, with 60% of people falling for AI-generated phishing emails in recent studies. Regular training equips your team to spot red flags, such as urgent requests, odd phrasing, or suspicious links. Educate employees about deepfakes, voice cloning, and phishing tactics through real-world examples. For instance, a scammer might use AI to mimic your CFO’s voice, requesting an urgent wire transfer. Training sessions should be frequent to keep pace with evolving threats.

How Pronto Tech Helps: Pronto Tech offers customized cybersecurity training tailored to your industry. Their engaging programs teach your team to recognize AI-driven scams, empowering them to act as your first line of defense without overwhelming your staff.

2. Strengthen Access with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

AI-powered phishing attacks aim to steal login credentials, but MFA adds a critical barrier. Require MFA across all business accounts—email, banking, and internal systems—and pair it with strong, unique passwords managed via a secure password tool. This simple step can block fraudsters even if they obtain your credentials through a convincing AI-crafted email.

How Pronto Tech Helps: Pronto Tech seamlessly implements MFA across your systems, integrating it with user-friendly tools to ensure compliance without disrupting workflows. Their expertise keeps your accounts secure from AI-driven intrusions.

3. Verify Sensitive Requests Rigorously

AI scams often exploit trust, using voice cloning or deepfake videos to impersonate trusted figures. In one case, a Hong Kong firm lost $25.6 million to a deepfake scam. Establish strict verification protocols: use known contact numbers, secure video platforms like Microsoft Teams, or pre-agreed code words for financial or sensitive requests. Train your team to pause and verify any unusual request, no matter how urgent it seems.

How Pronto Tech Helps: Pronto Tech designs secure communication protocols, such as encrypted channels or verification systems, tailored to your business. Their solutions are easy to adopt, ensuring protection against voice cloning and deepfake scams.

4. Minimize Your Online Data Footprint

AI scammers scrape public data from social media or websites to craft targeted attacks, like spear phishing. Limit sharing sensitive details—employee names, company events, or financial info—on public platforms. Set social media profiles to private and regularly audit your online presence to reduce exploitable information.

How Pronto Tech Helps: Pronto Tech conducts thorough data exposure audits, securing your online presence and implementing encryption to protect sensitive information. Their proactive approach minimizes the data scammers can exploit.

5. Leverage AI-Powered Fraud Detection Tools

Fight fire with fire by deploying AI-driven security tools that detect suspicious patterns, such as unusual logins or fraudulent transactions. These tools use machine learning to identify AI-generated phishing emails or deepfake attempts in real time, offering a dynamic defense against evolving threats.

How Pronto Tech Helps: Through partnerships with leading cybersecurity providers, Pronto Tech integrates advanced AI fraud detection into your systems. Their managed services monitor threats 24/7, catching anomalies before they cause harm.

6. Monitor Accounts and Act Swiftly

Regularly review bank and credit card statements for unauthorized activity and set up real-time alerts for unusual transactions. If you suspect an AI scam, report it immediately to authorities (e.g., the FTC) and your financial institutions. Quick action can limit financial and reputational damage.

How Pronto Tech Helps: Pronto Tech’s rapid incident response team monitors your accounts and responds swiftly to suspected scams, containing damage and guiding you through recovery. Their proactive monitoring ensures threats are caught early.

Why Partner with Pronto Tech?

Navigating the complexities of AI scams can be daunting for SMBs with limited resources. That’s where Pronto Tech shines. As a trusted IT and cybersecurity partner, Pronto Tech delivers enterprise-grade solutions tailored to your budget and needs. From customized training and MFA implementation to AI-powered fraud detection and rapid incident response, their services empower your business to stay resilient against AI-driven threats. With Pronto Tech, you gain peace of mind, knowing your operations are protected by experts who understand the unique challenges SMBs face.

Take Action Today

AI scams are evolving, but with the right strategies and a reliable partner like Pronto Tech, your SMB can stay one step ahead. Don’t wait for a costly breach to act.

Contact Pronto Tech for a free cybersecurity assessment and start safeguarding your business from AI scams today.