Online scams used to be relatively easy to spot: dodgy grammar and outlandish promises gave away the game, and most of us learned to shrug off emails from foreign dignitaries requesting bank details back in the early aughts.
But the cybercriminals of 2026 have an upgraded toolkit, and artificial intelligence is their new weapon of choice. According to Bitdefender's 2025 Consumer Cybersecurity Survey, which polled more than 7,000 consumers across seven countries, 37 percent of respondents now rank AI-powered scams—including deepfake videos and voice cloning—as their top concern about artificial intelligence. And that fear is well-founded: one in seven consumers fell victim to a scam in the past year alone. With global fraud losses now totalling in the trillions, the cost of complacency has become all too real.
Here's what you need to know to stay safe in 2026.
Social Media is Now Scam Central
Social media has surpassed email as the number-one delivery channel for scams, responsible for more than a third (34 percent) of fraud attempts. Cybercriminals are now mining posts, including photos and videos, for the raw material they need to craft convincing attacks. That holiday snap tells scammers you're away from home; those stories you painstakingly crafted to review a new skincare routine provide audio samples for AI to clone your voice with uncanny accuracy.
The survey found that younger users are twice as likely to be scammed (20 percent) compared to those aged 55 and over (just under 10 percent). It's a bit of a trend-reversal from the stereotype of retirees falling for phone scams, but it makes sense considering where fraudsters are fishing: Gen Z is the most-online generation in history.
Users who want to be more safety-savvy don’t need to abandon their socials entirely, but it’s important to think before sharing. Limit personal posts, be cautious with your voice and video content, and keep location data private to reduce your exposure. And some things are better left off the feed entirely: As tempting as the humblebrag may be, your followers don't need to know your daily jogging route or that you'll be in Tenerife for the next two weeks.
Your Phone May Be Your Weakest Link
The Bitdefender survey found that more than half (53 percent) of consumers primarily use their phones for banking and shopping transactions, yet nearly half don't run any independent security solution on their mobile device. Many assume their phone's built-in protections are sufficient, or worry that security apps will slow down performance.
The reality is that smartphones have become prime targets precisely because they hold so much sensitive information. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to minimise risk, like installing a reputable mobile security solution, keeping your operating system and apps updated, and enabling anti-phishing protections.
Convenience Is Killing Your Security
Speed often trumps safety in our daily digital habits, and scammers know it. The survey revealed that 37 percent of consumers still write down their passwords, while 17 percent reuse the same password across multiple (three or more) accounts. Only a little more than a quarter (27 percent) use a password manager, despite these tools being one of the simplest ways to store and protect complex credentials.
Cookie consent is another blind spot: almost half (48 percent) of respondents accept all cookies without review, and 75 percent either skim or completely ignore the terms. Tellingly, scam victims are far more likely to accept all cookies (60 percent) than those who haven't been scammed (46 percent). These small shortcuts add up, and they're exactly the vulnerabilities that cybercriminals exploit.
Five Ways to Protect Yourself in 2026
Staying safe online doesn't require a complete overhaul of your digital life, but it does demand a few smart habits:
Harden your logins. Use a password manager to create unique, complex passwords for every account, and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible. This single step can prevent the vast majority of account takeovers.
Protect your phone first. Your smartphone might contain more sensitive data than your computer. Install a dedicated mobile security solution and keep everything updated.
Think before you share. Every life update you post is potential ammunition. Be particularly cautious with content that reveals your daily whereabouts or routine.
Don't accept cookies blindly. As much as cookie banners may make your eyes glaze over, it’s worth the extra few seconds to manage your cookie settings manually. Minimising tracking reduces the data available to fraudsters crafting targeted scams.
Assume AI is in the loop. Treat unexpected calls and direct messages with healthy scepticism, even if they appear to come from someone you know. Always verify through a trusted channel before acting.
The rise of AI-powered fraud means that common sense alone is no longer enough. Scammers now deploy sophisticated decoys capable of fooling even a trained eye. But with the right tools and habits, you can stay a step ahead.
Explore Bitdefender's suite of home security solutions to protect your data and devices in 2026 and beyond.