What small businesses need to know right now

Artificial intelligence has officially entered the world of cybercrime, and small businesses are feeling the impact. Today’s scams don’t rely on blurry photos, suspicious links, or poorly written emails. Instead, cybercriminals use AI tools to create incredibly convincing deepfake videos, voice clones, and messages that sound exactly like someone you know and trust. For many small businesses, this means the next time you get a call from your boss or vendor… it may not be them at all.

AI-powered impersonation scams work because they blend technology with human psychology. Attackers use snippets of publicly available audio — from YouTube clips, social media, voicemail greetings, or even recorded customer service calls — to generate a near-perfect replica of a person’s voice. That voice is then used to pressure employees into sending payments, sharing passwords, or making urgent account changes. These scams unfold quickly, often within minutes, and they are highly effective because they exploit the familiarity and urgency people naturally respond to.

Deepfake videos are also becoming more common. Although still less frequent than voice scams, deepfake video messages can be used to instruct employees to authorize transfers, change vendor details, or share sensitive information. To an untrained eye, these videos often look real enough to create doubt — and in cybersecurity, doubt is dangerous.

Recognizing these scams requires a mix of awareness and skepticism. Requests wrapped in urgency or secrecy are almost always a red flag, especially when they ask for financial action or sensitive information. AI-generated voices or videos may also have subtle irregularities such as unnatural pauses, overly polished tone, or slight visual glitches that don’t match normal communication. Employees should also pay attention to the communication channel itself — if a request comes through a method someone rarely uses, it deserves extra scrutiny.

The best defense against AI impersonation isn’t complicated technology; it’s a strong verification process. Small businesses should implement a simple rule: any request involving money, account access, or confidential data must be verified through a second, trusted communication channel. If a request arrives by email, confirm it by phone. If it arrives by phone, confirm it through your internal messaging platform. No exceptions. This one shift prevents the overwhelming majority of AI-driven scams.

At Forge, we’re seeing AI scams grow faster than any other type of cyber threat affecting small businesses in the Huntington area. While the technology behind these attacks is evolving rapidly, the fundamentals of protection remain the same: train your employees, strengthen your internal processes, and create communication habits that don’t leave room for manipulation. Our team helps businesses establish these safeguards, deploy tools that reduce impersonation risk, and educate staff on how to handle suspicious requests with confidence.

AI is powerful, but preparation is more powerful. Small businesses that stay informed and proactive can navigate this new threat landscape safely — and without falling for a voice that isn’t what it seems.