Pennsylvania governor signs bill against AI-based scams

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a new law aimed at stopping the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create fake voices, images, or videos used in scams and financial crimes. The new law makes such actions a third-degree felony.

The legislation, Senate Bill 649, allows prosecutors to file charges against those who use AI to create fake digital content, like deepfakes or voice clones, to defraud or harm people in Pennsylvania. An example would be faking a grandchild's voice to trick an older adult into sending money.

This new law expands on a previous law signed by Gov. Shapiro last year that addressed AI-generated child sexual abuse material and non-consensual intimate images. noted his administration's focus on stopping scammers, reducing fraud, and protecting consumers.

The Department of Aging reported nearly 18,500 cases of financial exploitation in the last fiscal year, making it the most common form of abuse reported for older Pennsylvanians. This number has nearly doubled since 2017.

Wendy Spicher, Department of Banking and Securities Secretary, said financial crimes involving AI are increasing, and that it is becoming harder to tell what is real. She advised consumers to stay aware and informed.

A consumer protection hotline, website, and email address make it easier for Pennsylvanians to report scams and get help with financial and insurance issues. Residents can call 1-866-PACOMPLAINT (1-866-722-6675), visit pa.gov/consumer, or email consumer@pa.gov.

Pennsylvanians can also protect themselves by verifying unexpected calls, texts, or emails; not buying insurance or financial products from unknown callers; using family "code words" to identify AI voice scams; checking that agents and companies are licensed at pa.gov/insurance; and avoiding sharing personal or financial information unless they initiated the contact.