AI-driven fraud attacks spiked by more than 1200% in December 2025, according to a new report by Pindrop Security. Threat actors are using AI to assist in every stage of the attack, from deploying bots to conduct reconnaissance to using deepfakes to trick humans.
“According to Pindrop internal data, AI fraud (or non-live fraud) surged 1210% by December 2025,” the researchers write.
“From this, it’s clear that attackers are rebuilding their operations around AI. But why? Because it’s cheaper, faster, harder to detect, and startlingly scalable. With automated models, today’s attackers don’t get tired, don’t act on emotion, and don’t reuse the same face or voice twice. Attackers can train models with rigor, and once trained, these models work non-stop to exploit your vulnerabilities.”
While these attacks are targeting all sectors, Pindrop highlights the healthcare and retail industries as facing particular versions of AI-driven fraud.
The researchers observed one major healthcare provider that received 15,000 fraudulent bot calls since the summer of 2025, while the retail sector saw a 330% surge in AI fraud beginning in November.
“Every industry experiences the pain differently, but the fraudster’s playbook is strikingly consistent,” the researchers explain.
“In healthcare, bots flood contact centers for recon, aiming to take over patient accounts and gain access to HSA and FSA funds. In retail, AI-backed schemes exploit return policies—with micro-transactions compounding to massive losses. Inside corporate channels, AI-generated videos and voices impersonate job candidates to gain system access or high-level executives to execute social engineering scams. The tactics differ, but the foundation is the same: convincing, sophisticated AI-backed schemes.”
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Infosecurity Magazine has the story.
