AI chatbot fraud: the ‘gift card’ subcription that may cost you dear

Imagine subscribing to a helpful AI chatbot like Claude, and then suddenly, mystery charges pop up — $200 here, $200 there. Shane Hickey reports that David Duggan was thrilled with how Claude managed his family’s medical questions and errands, paying just $20 a month. But then, his wife spotted those strange gift card payments on their credit card — charges he didn't authorize. Turns out, scammers are exploiting AI chatbots, tricking users into buying gift cards that are then drained by fraudsters. According to Shane Hickey, these scams often start with convincing messages or fake subscription prompts, making it easy to get duped. And get this — once those gift cards are purchased, the fraudsters quickly cash out, leaving victims baffled and out of pocket. As Shane points out, the danger isn’t just the scam itself but how seamlessly it can blend into everyday tech use. So, for anyone using AI tools, the lesson is clear: stay alert, and don’t trust every prompt — because the next scam might be just a click away.