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KA-POW! Is that video real, or is it AI?

If a video shows a famous face, a miracle product or a deal that's hard to believe, assume it might be AI-made until you've checked somewhere else. The FBI warns criminals use AI to make realistic videos and voices for scams, including fake promotional videos (FBI IC3, 2024). Don't buy through the ad or the comments. Look it up on your own.

What it looks like

Invented examples. These are not real people or products.

🎥 A video of a "famous TV doctor" saying a $19 patch reverses joint pain. "Only 200 left. Comment YES for the link."

🎥 A woman in a sunny kitchen dips a "magic sticker" into a drink and it changes color. "Comment INFO and we'll message you."

🎥 A "news clip" where a well-known businessperson says a new investment app is doubling people's money.

Red flags

• A celebrity selling something they never would.
• "Comment to get the link," or the seller DMs you.
• Things that look a little off: hands, teeth, eyes, jewelry, shadows, or lips out of sync. The FBI lists these as signs of AI images and video (FBI IC3, 2024).
• A huge discount on an unfamiliar website, or on a site pretending to be a big brand (FTC, 2026).
• Investment "opportunities" in a video at all.

What to tell your parent

Everyone gets fooled by these sometimes, younger people included. They're getting very good.

"Some of those videos are made by computer now. They look completely real. If one's selling something, text it to Twinge before you comment or buy. A real person will check it, no judgment. I've almost bought stuff from these too."

Moral of the story: a real deal survives a second look.

Checklist: do this now

• Don't comment, click or buy from the video.
• Look up the product or person on your own.
• Watch for odd hands, eyes, teeth or voices.
• Send it to family before you buy.

If you don't know, now you KNOW... ⭐🌈

If they already ordered or paid

1. Call the card company and dispute the charge (FTC, 2026: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed).
2. Shared a password? Change it and turn on two-factor authentication (FTC, 2026).
3. Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and ic3.gov, and report the ad on the platform.

The numbers

• In 2025, nearly 30% of people who reported losing money to a scam said it started on social media, with reported losses of $2.1 billion, about eight times the 2020 figure (FTC Data Spotlight, 2026: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/data-visualizations/data-spotlight/2026/04/reported-losses-scams-social-media-eight-times-higher-2020).
• More than 40% of those people said it started when they ordered something from an ad (same FTC Data Spotlight, 2026).
• In 2025, people 60+ filed 3,143 complaints with the FBI that it tagged as AI-related (FBI IC3, 2025 Internet Crime Report: https://www.ic3.gov/annualreport/reports/2025_ic3report.pdf).

FAQ

Can you always tell if a video is AI? No. That's why the habit matters more than the eye test. Check the product or person somewhere else first.

What about voices on the phone? The FBI says AI voice cloning is being used to impersonate family members. Agree on a family secret word, and hang up and call back (FBI IC3, 2024).

My parent shares these videos all the time. Is that dangerous? Sharing a funny fake is mostly harmless. Buying from one or commenting with personal info is where the risk is.

Felt a Twinge? Text before you tap.

Twinge is a scam second opinion we're building. Forward the link and get a plain answer about what it looks like and what to do. Twinge never asks for passwords, codes or money. It's in a small free pilot, and forwarding isn't live yet. Join the waitlist at asktwinge.com.