The landscape of fraud is changing fast. The scams and fraud methodologies making headlines in 2026 look very different from what was even conceivable just five years ago, and the biggest reason is artificial intelligence (AI). It is estimated that more than half of all scams now use some form of AI, giving fraudsters access to tools that can clone a voice, forge a document, or write a convincing phishing email in seconds.

That sounds like a lot to keep up with, but most fraudsters still rely on the same set of tactics that have been used for years. By learning to take a mindful pause, you can spot these tactics.

Below are the top trends worth knowing about this year, and what you can do about each one.

AI-powered Scams

AI has raised the bar on what people can create and produce. Unfortunately, this also means fraudsters can leverage the same new capabilities:

AI voice cloning lets fraudsters create a realistic copy of someone’s voice from just a few seconds of audio, pulled from social media, a podcast, or even a voicemail greeting. They use these clones to call family members pretending to be a loved one in trouble, or to impersonate bank and government officials over the phone.

AI deepfake videos have moved beyond novelty. In one widely reported case, a finance worker sent $25 million after joining a video call where every other participant was an AI-generated likeness of a real executive at the company.

AI-generated phishing emails have eliminated the spelling mistakes and awkward phrasing that used to make scam emails easy to spot. Messages now mimic real writing styles, reference real conversations, and link to login pages that look identical to your bank’s actual website.

How to protect yourself:

• Set up a family safe word that only close relatives know. If you get a call from someone claiming to be a family member in distress, ask for the safe word before you do anything else.
• Never authorize a transfer based on a phone or video call alone. Hang up and call back on a number you already have saved.
• Review how much voice and video content you have shared publicly online. Less audio and video of you means less material for a fraudster to work with. Consider tightening your social media privacy settings or even removing publicly accessible content. 

Third Party Scams

Fraudsters gravitate toward payment methods that move fast and are difficult to reverse. A few specific tactics are worth watching for:

Interac e-Transfer scams are on the rise. Fraudsters create fake notification emails, and fraudulent “Request for Money” emails where, clicking “accept” sends you to a fake lookalike website that asks you to enter your username and password. Once you do, the scammer has your banking credentials.

Vendor Email Compromise is when bad actors compromise official business email accounts of the targeted organization and impersonate trusted identities, such as executives or senior leadership, who have the authority to request large fund transfers. The fraudster either creates an email address that mimics the address belonging to the person of authority, or compromises that person’s real email inbox by gaining access to their login credentials. At the critical moment, they interject with an urgent request to update banking details or divert a wire transfer to a fraudulent account, often citing an "immediate audit" or "urgent payment" to pressure the recipient into bypassing security protocols and sending funds before the deception is discovered.

Remote Access Fraud occurs when scammers trick you into granting them direct control of your computer or mobile device. Posing as tech support, telecommunications providers, or your bank, they often claim there is a critical security issue or a pending refund that requires immediate action. They will pressure you to download remote desktop software, which secretly gives them full visibility and access to your files, passwords, and active online banking sessions, allowing them to initiate unauthorized transfers directly from your device.

How to protect yourself:

• ATB will never ask you to transfer money to a “safe account” to protect your funds. That is always a scam. If a message like this claims to come from ATB, hang up and call us at 1-800-332-8383.
• Enable Autodeposit for Interac e-Transfer. It removes the security-question step, which is the main vulnerability fraudsters exploit, and significantly reduces interception risk. Many financial institutions, including ATB, require you to log in to their desktop banking platform to enable Autodeposit, instead of using an app. To do this safely, always type ATB.com directly into your URL browser field. This ensures you are on ATB’s real website, not a fake lookalike website that could come up in search engine results. 
• Establish a formal fraud prevention policy that mandates multi-level approvals and independent verification for all payment changes. This process must use contact details from a verified source, such as an official company directory or a previously known contact, rather than the contact information provided within the request. This structural defense should be supported by continuous employee training and rigorous information technology security assessments to identify vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
• Never download software or grant remote access to your device in response to an unsolicited phone call, email, or pop-up warning. Legitimate organizations, including ATB, tech companies, or government agencies, will never contact you out of the blue demanding remote control of your screen to fix an issue or process a transaction.

Payment Scams

Identity fraud remains the largest fraud category by total losses in North America, and it’s evolving in ways that are harder to detect.

Account takeover is when a fraudster gains access to your existing accounts, typically through stolen login credentials, phishing, or SIM swapping (where they convince your mobile carrier to transfer your phone number to their device, which lets them intercept your verification codes).

Romance scams occur when a person you connect with online, through a dating app or on social media, is actually a fraudster. They often take the time to build emotional trust over weeks or months, often using AI tools to sustain daily conversation, and eventually steer the relationship toward an emergency request for money or a fake investment opportunity.

Investment scams are trending right now. Fraudsters often build trust over time and use fake evidence that makes investment returns look real. These scams are often sophisticated, involving counterfeit statements or websites where an ‘investor’ can log in to see their sham growth. Whenever someone tries to withdraw their funds, they are asked to pay “taxes” or “fees.” This often leads to both the loss of investment and sometimes several rounds of fake taxes and fees being paid. 

How to protect yourself:

• Always use unique, strong passwords for every account, ideally managed by a vetted and trusted password manager. You should also set a PIN or passphrase directly with your mobile carrier to prevent SIM swaps.
• Watch out for red flags, such as an online relationship moving very quickly or someone constantly refusing to meet in person. Watch for when a casual conversation suddenly pivots toward an emergency or investment advice/opportunity.
• If you face sudden roadblocks when trying to withdraw money from a platform, you may be dealing with a fraudster. Never pay surprise taxes or fees before consulting with an expert, who is independent from the person and platform you have been investing with. Also watch for anyone requiring you to pay via a Bitcoin ATM or cryptocurrency transfer, as this is the number one way fraudsters request payment.

Taking a Mindful Pause

Every scam on this list works by pushing people to act before they pause and think. Urgency is the fraudster’s most reliable tool: A panicked phone call, a threatening text, a too-good-to-be-true opportunity that expires right away.

A mindful pause is a powerful tool. Every time you stop, take a grounding breath, and verify through a channel you trust, you take the advantage away from the fraudster. 

Your awareness and our technology are protective partners. ATB is always investing in new fraud prevention technologies, including AI detection and real-time monitoring. But if something doesn’t feel right, whether it’s a suspicious text, an unexpected call, or an email asking you to act fast, reach out. Call us at 1-800-332-8383 or email fraud@atb.com.