Fake AI “Advisors” Offering Personalized Plans

AI-based tools are all over the financial space right now. Some are legitimate. Some just want your data. And in between, there’s a growing category of suspicious sites pretending to offer personalized financial advice powered by artificial intelligence.

This isn’t a new scam. It’s just a rebranded version of the old “free retirement plan” pitch, now dressed up with a chatbot and buzzwords. The goal is the same: collect your personal info, get you to pay for something worthless, or both.

What these scams look like

You land on a site or app that promises AI-generated insights tailored to your income, savings, or retirement goals. It might offer a sleek interface, fake testimonials, or even a short questionnaire that feels legit. Once you enter some basic information, the tool either:

• Pushes for a one-time fee to unlock your “custom plan”
• Prompts you to enter sensitive personal data like account logins or Social Security numbers
• Or delivers a vague output that looks computer-generated and not especially useful

In some cases, the site disappears shortly after payment. In others, your information is quietly collected and resold.

Why people fall for it

The language sounds familiar. It mimics the real fintech tools and apps many people already use. It feels cheaper and more accessible than hiring a human advisor. And it leans into the idea that AI is smart enough to take over this part of your life.

What most people don’t realize is that many of these tools aren’t built on any actual planning framework. They’re just lead capture forms or payment funnels with a little tech gloss on top.

How to spot it

• No real company name or credentials listed anywhere
• Generic plan output that could apply to anyone
• Urgent upsells after a short quiz
• Payment requests before any value is shown
• Claims that sound too broad, like “maximize your retirement income instantly”

What to do instead

If you’re looking for financial tools, stick to ones from established firms or platforms with a track record. If something new catches your attention, look it up before engaging. You can search the domain registration, check reviews, or see if it’s registered with regulators.

Never enter sensitive data into an unknown tool. That includes your bank logins, account numbers, or any personal identifiers. If you’re just testing something, use fake info or a throwaway email.

Scams are getting better at sounding helpful. The best defense is knowing how real advice works and staying a step ahead of anything that doesn’t add up.