Paying online has become second nature. Ordering food, booking tickets, or sending money is often just a tap away. But as digital payments get easier, scams are quietly getting smarter too. With artificial intelligence (AI) now in the mix, fraudsters are finding new ways to look real, sound familiar and catch people off guard. In line with the Reserve Bank of India’s Digital Payments Awareness Week 2026, Visa is encouraging consumers to stay alert on how AI is being used for online frauds, and how a few simple habits can help keep everyday payments safe. The RBI has consistently emphasised that while digital payments are fast and convenient, users must remain cautious and informed. This year’s awareness campaign by RBI focuses on a simple message for consumers: #ThodaDhyanSe” while making digital payments.
Because the pause between should I or should I not, is the line between safety and scam.
How Fraudsters Are Misusing AI: Five Risks and Simple Steps to Stay Safe
- Online stores that aren’t real
Some scam websites now use AI generated images and descriptions to sell products that do not exist. Everything looks legitimate until the payment is made.
Stay safe: Shop on trusted platforms and use secure digital payment options such as tokenised cards, which help keep actual card details private, reducing the risk of misuse if a site turns out to be fraudulent. Card payments also offer an added layer of protection, as customers can raise disputes and seek recovery through their bank if a transaction goes wrong.
- Calls that feel urgent and personal
AI deepfakes can now mimic voices or simulate video calls that seem to originate from relatives, friends, or authorities, pressurising individuals to transfer money swiftly.
Stay safe: Pause before acting. The RBI advises users not to act under pressure or urgency. If a request feels unusual, verify it through another trusted way before paying.
- Documents that look official
Invoices, payment requests, or bank letters can now be created using AI tools to appear authentic at first glance.
Stay safe: Do not rely only on documents received digitally. Always confirm payment related requests directly with the bank or the organisation involved using official contact details.
- Identities that aren’t fully real
Fraudsters use a mix of real and fake information to create convincing profiles and impersonate organisations, making scams hard to detect. These deceptive identities can appear as social media accounts, job applicants, businesses, or officials.
Stay safe: Enable biometric and multi-factor authentication, monitor accounts for suspicious activity, and verify organisations through official channels before sharing sensitive information. Be cautious with unexpected offers or urgent requests, and check with the bank or a trusted authority before acting.
- Emails that sound just right
AI-driven phishing emails now imitate authentic branding and tone, making scams hard to spot, even from real email addresses when legitimate sites are compromised. These often urge quick action or promise rewards to steal your information.
Stay safe: Carefully check unexpected emails, confirm requests using official contacts, and never click unknown links or download attachments without verifying authenticity.
Awareness is a shared responsibility!
Behind the scenes, the digital payments ecosystem continues to strengthen security by deploying tools like encryption and tokenisation, which replaces sensitive card details with secure digital tokens and acts as a security shield, safeguarding financial information each time you pay; whether it is at a shop, online, or through a mobile app, amongst other initiatives and solutions to safeguard users. These measures are constantly evolving to stay ahead of emerging threats, ensuring that your transactions remain safe and confidential.
However, technology alone is not enough. Individuals play a critical role in maintaining their own security. So, always remain cautious, verify unexpected requests or offers, and use official channels to confirm payment instructions or account changes. If something feels suspicious, pause, question, and verify. In case you suspect fraud or encounter a scam, promptly report it to your bank and utilise official platforms such as the national cybercrime helpline (1930) or report at cybercrime.gov.in, as advised by authorities. Staying informed and vigilant is key to protecting yourself and contributing to a safer digital ecosystem for all.
