Quick answer: Criminals are using AI-themed lures, convincing fake messages and cloned voices to trick small businesses into handing over passwords or money. The best defenses are simple: verify payment requests by a second channel, use multi-factor authentication, download software only from official sources, and train your team to pause before acting.
Why Small Businesses Are Targeted
Small businesses often hold valuable data and move money quickly, but have no dedicated security team. Attackers know that one convincing message to the right person can be enough.
Kaspersky’s 2026 small and medium business threat report found a striking trend in the first four months of the year. The company detected more than 33,300 attacks on small and medium businesses that were disguised as popular AI tools. That was almost five times the number seen in 2025 and 39 percent more than attacks disguised as office and collaboration software. The report also notes that email remains a widely used channel for attackers.
In other words, the tools your team is excited to try are now a favorite disguise for criminals.
The Main Threats to Know
Fake AI tools and downloads
Attackers copy the names and look of well-known AI apps and offer “free” downloads, browser add-ons or logins. Installing one can give them access to your device or accounts.
Better-written phishing messages
AI can help criminals write smooth, personalized emails and messages with fewer of the spelling mistakes that once gave scams away. Do not rely on bad grammar as a warning sign.
Deepfake voice and video
Voice cloning and fake video calls can imitate a boss or supplier asking for an urgent transfer. These cases are less common than ordinary phishing, but the impact can be large, so it is wise to prepare.
Business email compromise
Attackers pose as a vendor, executive or customer and ask you to change bank details or pay an invoice. This is one of the costliest scams for businesses and does not need advanced technology.
QR code and message-app lures
Fake QR codes, texts and chat messages push people to log in on look-alike pages. Treat links and codes from unexpected sources with the same caution as email.
8 Practical Controls That Work
1. Verify money requests a second way
Create a rule: any new payment detail, urgent transfer or change of bank account must be confirmed by calling a known number, not the one in the message.
2. Turn on multi-factor authentication
Use it on email, banking, cloud storage and social accounts. Where possible, choose stronger methods such as authenticator apps, passkeys or security keys over text-message codes.
3. Use a password manager
Unique, long passwords limit the damage from any one stolen login. A password manager also helps you notice fake login pages, since it will not fill in details on the wrong site.
4. Get AI tools from official sources only
Type the company’s address yourself or use the official app store. Be wary of ads, search results and links in messages that promise free premium access. Keep a short list of approved tools for your team.
5. Limit permissions and access
Give staff and apps only the access they need. Remove access immediately when someone leaves. Review which apps are connected to your email and cloud accounts.
6. Keep software updated and back up data
Updates close known security holes. Keep backups separate from your main systems and test restoring them. Our cybersecurity essentials guide covers these basics in more detail.
7. Train the team in short, regular sessions
Share real examples, explain the “pause and verify” habit, and make reporting suspicious messages easy and blame-free. Our article on building an AI-ready team shows how to fit this into everyday training.
8. Protect the data you put into AI tools
Avoid pasting confidential information into tools you have not vetted. Read the provider’s data policy first, and see our guide to data privacy and AI.
Warning Signs to Teach Your Team
- Urgency or pressure to act immediately.
- Requests to bypass normal approval steps.
- New or changed payment details.
- Unexpected login prompts or requests for codes.
- A sender address, website or app name that is slightly off.
- A familiar voice or face asking for something unusual.
What to Do If You Think You Were Tricked
- Stop and disconnect the affected device from the internet if you installed something suspicious.
- Change passwords from a clean device and sign out of all sessions.
- Contact your bank immediately if money was sent.
- Tell your team and, if needed, your IT provider.
- Report the incident to the relevant authorities in your country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are deepfake scams common against small businesses?
Standard phishing and invoice fraud remain far more common. Deepfakes are a growing concern, so a verification rule for payments protects you against both.
Is multi-factor authentication enough?
It blocks many attacks but not all. Pair it with training, updates and careful approval rules.
Should I ban AI tools?
Usually not. A better approach is to approve a few trusted tools, set clear rules on what data may be entered, and teach staff how to spot fakes.
Bottom Line
AI has made scams more convincing, but the defenses remain practical and affordable. Verify requests, protect accounts, control where tools come from and keep your team alert. This article is general information, not professional security advice, so consult an expert if your business handles sensitive data.