Not all individuals use ChatGPT with good intentions. One pressing concern revolves around the potential misuse of ChatGPT by malicious actors, who could exploit its capabilities to create scams that deceive or harm unsuspecting users.
In this article, we will delve into some of the most common ChatGPT scams, offering insights on how to recognize and avoid them. Let’s begin!
1. ChatGPT Email Scams
Email scams have persisted for years, serving as a channel to spread malicious software, extort victims, or steal valuable information. Presently, email scams using ChatGPT’s identity have emerged as a deceptive technique to deceive recipients.
In April 2023, multiple news outlets began reporting an upsurge of phishing emails purportedly composed by ChatGPT. Cybercriminals have cleverly exploited the AI chatbot’s ability to generate content on demand, employing it to craft phishing emails for their nefarious campaigns.
These deceptive emails frequently make fraudulent claims of providing access to ChatGPT or extend invitations to participate in ChatGPT-related ventures or events. They might also include fake testimonials or endorsements from celebrities or experts.
The emails often contain links or attachments leading to malicious websites or files designed to infect the recipient’s device with malware or extract personal and financial data.
To safeguard against falling victim to these ChatGPT email scams, it is crucial to:
- Meticulously examine the sender’s email address, paying careful attention to spelling errors or suspicious domains.
- Exercise caution and refrain from clicking on any links or attachments in unsolicited emails unless their legitimacy can be reliably verified.
- Validate any offers or invitations related to ChatGPT by visiting the official ChatGPT website directly at https://chat.openai.com/ or other trusted openai.com domains.
- Use reputable antivirus software and ensure regular updates are consistently implemented.
2. Fake ChatGPT Browser Extensions
Web browsers offer extensions, which are small software programs that extend the functionality and features of your browsing experience. However, it is crucial to be cautious, as certain browser extensions can be deceitful or fraudulent, especially when downloaded from unofficial sources.
Some ChatGPT scammers have developed counterfeit browser extensions that falsely claim to provide access to ChatGPT or enhance its capabilities. These extensions can be found on unofficial web stores or websites that promote them as free or premium downloads.
However, be aware that these extensions might have spyware or adware capable of monitoring your online activities, displaying unwanted advertisements, redirecting you to malicious websites, or even stealing your personal information.
To safeguard against the installation of fake ChatGPT browser extensions, consider following these guidelines:
- Always download browser extensions from official web stores or websites verified by your browser provider.
- Before installation, look at the reviews and ratings of the extensions, paying attention to negative feedback or complaints.
- Verify the permissions and privacy policy associated with the extensions, ensuring they do not request unnecessary access to sensitive information or data.
- Disable or uninstall any extensions that you do not regularly use or that restrict your browser’s performance.
3. Fake ChatGPT Apps
While ChatGPT was initially accessible as a web-based service through browsers or APIs, some users prefer using ChatGPT on their mobile devices. Recognizing this demand, OpenAI has recently released a ChatGPT application across various countries.
However, before OpenAI could release the app, there have already been numerous ChatGPT applications in app stores or even websites that advertised them as free or paid downloads. Regardless of how safe they claim to be, these apps can actually be scams or even damage your device.
To steer clear of downloading such ChatGPT applications, follow these recommendations:
- Only download applications from official app stores.
- Look for any negative feedback or complaints in the review and ratings sections.
- Check the permissions and privacy policy of the apps and what type of data it collects.
Are ChatGPT scams infiltrating the app store and Google Play?
Security experts from Sophos have issued a warning today regarding the latest scams found in Google Play and Apple’s App Store. The deceptive apps are masquerading as offering free trial access to OpenAI’s chatbot service, ChatGPT, only to begin imposing subscription fees later on.
4. Malware Created by ChatGPT
Malicious software, commonly known as malware, refers to software specifically designed to compromise or harm computer systems and networks. Malware can infiltrate your device through various means, such as email attachments, web downloads, removable media, or network connections.
ChatGPT can also be used in the creation of malware by generating code snippets that execute detrimental actions. For instance, a hacker could utilize ChatGPT to compose a ransomware program capable of encrypting a user’s files and demanding a payment for decryption.
Similarly, scammers might use ChatGPT to construct a spyware program that monitors a user’s keystrokes and transmits them to a remote server.
To avoid getting infected by malware created by ChatGPT, take the following measures:
- Use reputable antivirus software and ensure it is consistently updated.
- Scan any files or programs downloaded from the internet before opening them.
- Be cautious when you see suspicious or unsolicited emails or attachments. It is better to not open them.
- Regularly back up your critical data and store it securely.
5. ChatGPT Phishing Sites
Phishing is an online scam that tricks users into sharing personal or financial information by pretending to be a trusted entity or person. It can happen through emails, phone calls, text messages, or social media. Phishing sites are websites that scammers control, mimicking the appearance of legitimate ones.
With the help of ChatGPT, scammers can create these deceptive phishing sites by generating fake web pages that look and feel just like the real website. For instance, a scammer could use ChatGPT to craft a fake ChatGPT login page, asking users to enter their email and password.
Once obtained, the scammer can use these credentials to gain unauthorized access to the user’s account, steal sensitive data, or even sell it off.
To avoid falling into the trap of ChatGPT phishing sites, keep these tips in mind:
- Pay close attention to the website address (URL) and watch out for any misspellings or suspicious domain names.
- Look for security indicators on the website, such as the presence of “HTTPS” in the URL, a padlock icon, or certificate information.
- Never enter personal or financial information on websites that you don’t trust or recognize.
- Consider using a password manager to create strong and unique passwords for different accounts, making it harder for scammers to crack them.
6. Fake ChatGPT Subscriptions
ChatGPT is widely accessible as a free service, allowing you to explore its capabilities. However, OpenAI has introduced a paid subscription option known as ChatGPT Plus, offering additional features and benefits in exchange for a monthly or annual fee.
Unfortunately, scammers have capitalized on this situation by creating fake ChatGPT service subscriptions, falsely claiming to provide exclusive discounts for ChatGPT.
These subscriptions may surface in online advertisements, pop-ups, emails, or social media posts, directing users to phishing sites where they are prompted to provide their payment details.
To safeguard yourself from this situation, consider the following precautions:
- Visit the official ChatGPT website directly at https://chat.openai.com/ or other OpenAI sources, where you can find accurate updates and announcements about ChatGPT’s subscription model.
- Refrain from clicking on any links or advertisements offering ChatGPT service subscriptions unless you have verified their legitimacy.
- Do not provide payment information on websites that lack trust or recognition.
- Only use a credit card or payment service that provides fraud protection and offers mechanisms for dispute resolution.
Conclusion
ChatGPT scams are worryingly common and can affect anyone who uses or interacts with ChatGPT. These scams can take various forms and methods, such as email scams, fake browser extensions, fake apps, malware, phishing sites, fake service subscriptions, etc.
Falling prey to such scams can cause various damages and losses, such as identity theft, financial fraud, data breach, and device infection. To protect yourself from ChatGPT scams, you should follow some basic security practices and tips we have provided in this article. Stay safe and have fun with ChatGPT!