Lori Greiner, a prominent mentor from the hit show Shark Tank, recently highlighted the escalating problem of AI scams in a captivating Instagram reel shared on March 16, 2025. She provided practical safety measures to help families protect themselves from criminals who leverage AI-generated content to deceive unsuspecting individuals. One of her primary recommendations was to establish a unique family code or phrase to verify identities and safeguard against these sophisticated scams.
Greiner concluded her message with a crucial reminder for her followers.
“Be careful out there. There’s a lot of these scams going around. Do everything you can to be aware and stay safe,”she said.
She emphasized that implementing such strategies can add an extra layer of security, particularly in uncertain scenarios, whether communicating online or via phone. A designated trusted word or phrase allows families to determine quickly whether they are engaging with a genuine person or a potential fraudster.
Lori Greiner’s Insights on AI Scams
During her segment, Greiner discussed the alarming rise of AI-facilitated scams and the advancement of scammers’ methods. She noted that fraudsters increasingly utilize AI technology to replicate voices, create counterfeit profiles, and fabricate deceptive messages.
“Here’s an important safety tip with all the scams going on out there using AI clones to trick people,”she stated.
The scope of these scams extends beyond just text and email communications; they also encompass the creation of fake images, artificial driver’s licenses, forged documents, and even manipulated live video interactions. Greiner pointed out the grave concern of scammers impersonating family members through cloned voices, making it even more challenging to discern between authentic and fraudulent conversations.
“They’re also making fake videos for live chats and cloning people’s voices, including family members in order to scam them,”she explained.
To mitigate the risk of falling victim to these deceptive tactics, Greiner suggested adopting a proactive approach with a family-oriented safety plan, such as a secret code.
She encouraged families to devise a distinctive word or phrase that is easy to recall and use.
“Create a secret word or phrase with your family that you all can use to verify your identity,”she advised.
Greiner suggested that this code could be as simple as, “I’m picking up celery,”or as quirky as “garbanzo beans.”The key is to choose something that flows naturally in conversation.
“It doesn’t matter what it is, but just make sure you can use it in a sentence, and make sure everyone in your family or those close in your circle knows what it is,”she added.
This straightforward yet effective measure can significantly enhance the ability to verify someone’s identity. She reiterated the importance of ensuring all family members or close contacts are aware of the secret code, particularly in situations where they feel uncertain about an interaction with someone claiming to be trustworthy.
Catch the latest episode of Shark Tank, currently airing on ABC, to see more valuable insights from Lori Greiner.