How To Recognize Fake AI-Generated Stories, Images, Videos & Phone
Last week, I read a story about a young boy who’d been missing for 30 years. There was a sweet picture of him in braces, and a photo of a grubby pair of hands holding a retainer. The article told how his mother had been grieving for years, barely leaving the house. A call to a plumber revealed the truth. When he showed up at the house next door, he found that it wasn’t a tree root causing the problem, but a stuffed toy and a retainer, all belonging to the young boy who’d been missing. I was upset. “What is wrong with the world,” I thought. I decided to do a quick search to learn more, and that’s when I found out that the whole thing was a lie! Sigh.
Why This Matters
Nowadays, it’s increasingly common for technology called artificial intelligence (AI) to generate or alter content. That means you might receive stories, images, videos, even phone calls, that look or sound real, but are actually fake or manipulated. According to researchers, “deepfakes” (AI-generated or altered media) are spreading and becoming more convincing.
For older adults, who may be less familiar with the newest tricks, this means being extra alert. Scammers, fraudsters and imposters use these fake media to mislead, pressure or confuse people into handing over money, sharing personal information, or trusting something that isn’t true.
What Kinds of Fake Media to Watch Out For
Here are common types you might come across:
Fake images or photos: A picture may look real (someone you know, a public figure, an official, etc.), but it’s been created or altered by AI.
False/Fake videos: Someone’s face or voice has been swapped, or a video clip mistakenly attributed to someone.
Fake phone calls or voice messages: Using AI to mimic someone’s voice (a family member, a company, a charity), or a call that sounds urgent but is not genuine.
Fake news or stories shared online: These may misuse images/videos or be entirely generated, then spread as though real.
How to Spot the Fakes
Here are practical tips you can use to double-check what you’re seeing or hearing:
1. Take a step back and ask:
- Does this make sense?
- Who sent it, and why now?
- Does the person seem out of character (sudden urgency, big request, odd behaviour?
- Is it asking you to act quickly (send money, share info, click a link)?
As one expert says: “Rather than try to detect whether something is a deepfake or not, basic questioning can help lead to the right conclusion.”
2. Look closely at images & videos for visual clues. Here are specific things to look for:
- Are shadows, lighting or reflections odd?
- Lighting inconsistent across face/body/background?
- Is skin too smooth (or too plastic-looking) or does hair/eyebrows look wrong?
- Do the eyes blink normally or move naturally?
- Are hands, fingers, ears, neck, etc. weird? Look for extra fingers or strange coloring.
- Does the person’s voice (in a video) match the movement of their mouth?
3. Check the source & verify
- Does the story or image come from a trusted news outlet, official website or person you know?
- Use reverse image search (for photos) to see where else that image appears and how it’s been used.
- Search for the video or story title online and look for fact-checks or credible reporting (especially if it’s about something sensational).
As one source put it: “When you are scrolling… you want to know: ‘can I trust this image, this video…’”
4. For phone calls / voice messages: trust but verify
- If a caller claims to be a grandchild, a bank, a charity, or another institution and wants money or personal details, hang up and call them back using a known number.
- Listen: Does the voice sound too flat, monotone, or just “off”? AI-generated voices sometimes lack natural emotion or breath sounds.
- Beware of urgency and pressure (“Act now or bad thing will happen”) — that’s a common trick.
What To Do If You Suspect Something
- Report the item to the platform where you saw it (Facebook, Instagram, email provider)
- If an image, video or call involves a scam or financial request, contact your bank or a trusted family member.
- Stay calm: Scammers hope you panic or rush.
Even though AI tools are getting better at detecting fakes, experts say there’s still no perfect method for everyday users, and the “fakes” will keep improving. So the best defense is healthy skepticism, visual and verbal checks, and relying on trusted sources. You don’t have to become a tech expert, just a little caution and awareness go a long way in protecting yourself from fake AI-generated tricks.
Stay curious, stay cautious, and enjoy your tech with confidence.
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