AI safety · Scam awareness
AI, scams, and your life savings
Scams can look and sound more convincing than ever. Here is what Singapore’s figures tell us, and the practical steps we can take to protect one another.
The human cost, in numbers
Singapore · 2025Older adults
14.8%
of reported scam victims in 2025 were aged 65 or above.
Average loss
$37,053
per older scam victim in Singapore in 2025.
Impersonation
21.0%
of older victims fell for government official impersonation scams.
Source: Singapore Police Force, Annual Scam and Cybercrime Brief 2025 (opens in a new tab).
Behind every number is a person
Scams are more than a technology problem. They can cost someone their savings, their confidence, and their sense of security. Scammers may impersonate a government official, invent an urgent problem, and pressure someone to transfer money before checking.
AI can make a fake message, image, or voice harder to recognise. A convincing voice or familiar face is no longer enough to prove who is contacting you. Give yourself time to verify unexpected requests through a separate, trusted channel.
Where protection starts
Banks, technology companies, public agencies, and communities all have a part to play. Bank features that let customers lock away savings can put another barrier between a scammer and someone’s money. Reporting suspicious activity quickly gives banks and authorities a better chance to respond.
Personal vigilance matters too, especially when a request creates urgency or asks you to keep a transfer secret. Checking with a family member or calling the organisation using its published number can break that pressure.
Keep this handy
Add. Check. Tell.
ScamShield’s ACT steps offer a simple way to respond when something feels off.
- 01
Add
Add protective tools such as the ScamShield app, and enable the security features offered by your bank.
- 02
Check
Pause before sending money or sharing details. Verify the request through an official website or a number you found yourself.
- 03
Tell
Talk to someone you trust and report suspected scams. If money has moved, contact your bank immediately.
The strongest response starts with a pause. Check the request, speak up, and help the people around you do the same.