Scammers Use Artificial Intelligence and Economic Anxiety to Deceive Hispanics in the U.S.
SOURCE: Truecaller
WASHINGTON D.C., April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — From AI-generated robocalls to manipulated text messages, scammers are acting faster, smarter, and more dangerous. According to Truecaller, the global leader in contact verification and spam blocking, new fraud tactics are taking advantage of issues such as immigration anxiety, inflation, and tax season stress to deceive consumers. Hispanic communities in the U.S., which already face challenges protecting against unwanted calls, are especially vulnerable.
“Scammers are preying on fear,” said Clayton Lia Braaten, senior advisor at Truecaller. “They tell you your 401(k) retirement account is at risk or that you could be deported, and pressure you to take action. These emotional scams now use AI, making them even harder to detect.”
Truecaller 2024 Report Data
• 68.4 million Americans were victims of phone scams last year, with losses of more than $25 billion.
• The average loss per person was $363.
• 41% of Hispanic adults in the U.S. received at least one scam call per week.
• More than 1 in 4 Hispanics (27%) responded to a scam, and 20% lost money, the highest percentage among all ethnic groups.
• Hispanic consumers are less likely to use call-blocking tools, making them an easier target.
Why Are Hispanic Communities Targeted?
Many Hispanics in the U.S. maintain family ties abroad and frequently receive international calls, making it difficult to identify suspicious numbers. Language barriers, cultural norms of trust, and fear of immigration status create an ideal environment for manipulation.
“Immigration scams are among the most dangerous,” added Lia Braaten. “AI-powered voice messages that sound like real officials can cause panic in people who are simply seeking to comply with the law.”
How AI Is Transforming Fraud
Scammers are now using AI to mimic official alerts and create messages based on recent news. For example, as soon as a story about an economic crisis appears, fake messages suggesting “tweaking your 401(k)” or “avoiding sanctions” begin circulating, appealing to fear.
Truecaller Tips:
• Don’t share personal or financial information over the phone.
• Use apps like Truecaller to detect suspicious calls.
• Report fraud to the FTC or local authorities.
“As scams evolve, so must our defenses,” concluded Lia Braaten.
For more information or to download the app, visit: www.truecaller.com
About Truecaller: Truecaller is an essential app for over 450 million users. In 2024, it identified and blocked over 56 billion unwanted calls. Headquartered in Stockholm, it has been listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since 2021 and has surpassed one billion downloads.
