JEA security manager warns holiday shoppers to watch for AI-powered scams

Bobby Ellis, IT security manager at Jackson Energy Authority, warned that holiday shopping and shipping delays create openings for fraudsters who “play on your emotions and make you click before you think.” He said scammers are using more sophisticated tools now, including AI-generated text and voice cloning, to make messages and calls seem local and familiar.

Ellis urged people to take a moment before clicking links in emails or texts and to go directly to a retailer’s verified website or app to check order status instead of relying on links or phone numbers in unsolicited messages. “If it’s somebody you’re normally interacting with, go to the legitimate website, log in there where you normally do, and check your order status,” he said.

He advised extra caution with smart devices and apps: buy well-known brands when possible, research privacy practices, check and update device firmware, and turn off unnecessary data-sharing or privacy-invasive settings. For sensitive data—medical, banking or credit-card information—Ellis said users should be especially careful about permissions and to use trusted contact methods for companies.

Ellis framed these steps as simple, practical defenses: pause on urgent-seeming messages, verify via official channels and keep devices updated. “Use your trusted methods for interacting with that company,” he said. “A little due diligence goes a long way.”

The tips were offered as consumer guidance during a local program segment and do not represent official law-enforcement guidance; listeners seeking more technical safeguards should consult their service providers or cybersecurity professionals.