YouTube Shorts is rolling out a new AI-powered feature giving creators an easy way to realistically clone themselves on camera. The launch, hinted at earlier this year, reflects the platform’s fraught relationship with AI-generated content, adding more generative features while struggling to contain AI slop, deepfake scams, and impersonations.

YouTube says the new tool will let users create a digital version of themselves, called an avatar, that can be inserted into existing Shorts videos or used to generate entirely new ones. The company said avatars will “look and sound like you,” framing them as a safer and more secure way to use AI to create new content.

Creating an avatar is a bit more involved than simply pressing a button, but it sounds fairly straightforward. In a blog post outlining the process, YouTube said users must first record a “live selfie” capturing their face and voice while following a series of prompts. For the best results, the company recommends good lighting, a quiet area, a background free of other people or images of faces, and holding the phone at eye level.

Once avatars are made, users can select “make a video with my avatar” while creating a video to generate a clip from prompts, which can be up to eight seconds long, according to 9to5google. Users can also add their avatar to “eligible Shorts” in their feed, though YouTube did not specify what makes a Short eligible.

The AI avatar feature comes with fairly tight restrictions. They can only be used in the creator’s own original videos, who also control whether their Shorts can be remixed. The creator can delete their avatar or videos where it appears at any time, YouTube says. Avatars that aren’t used to create new content for three years will be automatically deleted.

Not everyone will be able to use the feature immediately. YouTube says the tool “will be rolling out gradually,” though it did not give a timeline or indication of where it will be available first. Creators must also be at least 18 and own an existing YouTube channel, the company says.

Its arrival comes as one of Google’s main AI rivals, OpenAI, pulls back from video generation. The startup said it was sunsetting its Sora video tool last month after a year of struggling to get the wannabe social platform off the ground. It was costly and faced a parade of copyright challenges, deepfake controversies, and slop that made it an unattractive bet for investors ahead of an anticipated IPO this year.

You see a charge you don’t recognize. It looks like it came from a trusted brand. Your instinct kicks in. You want to fix it quickly and move on. That’s exactly what happened to Dorothy.

After a simple text, she found herself on the phone with someone who sounded official, confident and completely convincing. Here’s how she described it:

“I received a text from APPLE Pay, which I don’t even use… It said an Apple Store in CA wants to charge me $144… If I have questions, I should call. DUH! I called and was speaking with the scammer.”

“I received a text from APPLE Pay, which I don’t even use… It said an Apple Store in CA wants to charge me $144… If I have questions, I should call. DUH! I called and was speaking with the scammer.”

— Dorothy

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Within minutes, the situation escalated.

“He knew everything about me… He said I should take out $15,000… He said he was working with the FBI and the FDIC.”

That’s when the pressure really started. Dorothy told me this story when she joined me on my Beyond Connected podcast, and what happened next shows just how far these scams can go.

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How this Apple Pay text scam actually works

This scam follows a pattern that is becoming more common. It combines a fake alert with a live phone call designed to build trust fast.

Here’s what is happening behind the scenes:

Step 1: The fake charge alert

You get a text about a suspicious charge. It looks urgent. It often includes a number to call.

Step 2: You call the scammer

The number connects you directly to a criminal. They pose as Apple, your bank or even law enforcement.

Step 3: They build credibility

They may know your name, address or bank. That information often comes from past data breaches.

Step 4: They create fear and urgency

You are told your money is at risk. You need to act immediately.

Step 5: They control your next move

In Dorothy’s case, the scammer told her to withdraw $15,000 and lie to her bank about why.

“He said he would stay on the phone with me while I drove to the bank… If anyone asked, I should say I was buying a car.”

That is a major red flag.

PHISHING SCAM EXPLOITS APPLE MAIL ‘TRUSTED SENDER’ LABEL

The moment everything could have gone wrong

Dorothy drove to the bank with the scammer still on the phone. This is exactly what criminals want. They try to isolate you and keep control of the situation.

But something didn’t feel right.

“When I got to the bank, I recognized one of the employees and told her that I was uncomfortable… She said to hang up immediately.”

That decision changed everything.

The bank confirmed it was a scam. The calls kept coming from different numbers. Dorothy blocked them all. Fortunately, no money was lost.

Why the Apple Pay text scam feels so real

Scammers are getting better at one thing. They make you feel like you are solving a problem, not being scammed.

Here’s why this one works so well:

• It uses a trusted name like Apple Pay
• It creates urgency with a fake charge
• It moves quickly to a live conversation
• It uses real personal details to build trust
• It pressures you to act before you think

They also add authority. Claiming ties to the FBI or FDIC makes people feel like they must comply. In reality, no legitimate agency will ever ask you to move money this way.

The biggest red flags to watch for

If you remember nothing else, remember these:

• A text about a charge that tells you to call a number
• Someone is asking you to withdraw large amounts of cash
• Instructions to lie to your bank or keep a secret
• Claims that your money needs to be “protected”
• Pressure to act immediately

Each one is a warning sign. Together, they confirm it is a scam.

How to stay safe from Apple Pay text scams

You do not need to outsmart scammers. You just need to slow the situation down.

1) Never trust the number in the message

If you get a suspicious text, do not call the number provided. Look up the official number yourself.

2) Pause before you act

Scammers rely on urgency. Take a moment. Real companies will not rush you like this.

3) Never move money on someone else’s instructions

No bank, tech company or government agency will ask you to withdraw cash to “protect” it.

4) Use strong antivirus software

Strong antivirus software can help detect malicious links, block scam websites and warn you before you engage with risky content. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

5) Remove your personal data from the web

Scammers often use data from breaches to sound convincing. A data removal service can help reduce your exposure and limit what criminals can find about you online. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

6) Talk to someone you trust

A quick conversation with a friend, family member or bank employee can stop a scam cold.

7) Add extra protection

Consider identity monitoring services that alert you if your information is being misused. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com.

What to do if this happens to you

Even if you did not lose money, take a few steps right away:

• Contact your bank using the number on your card
• Place a fraud alert on your credit
• Consider freezing your credit
• Monitor your accounts closely
• Block any follow-up calls or texts

These steps help protect you from future attempts.

What this means for you

This scam did not begin with a complex hack. Instead, it started with a simple text. That is what makes it so dangerous. At first, it looks routine. Then urgency takes over. As a result, anyone can feel pressured to act quickly and without thinking.

In many cases, the situation feels real. That is how people get pulled into a conversation that seems legitimate. In Dorothy’s case, she trusted her instincts at the right moment. Because of that decision, fortunately, she did not lose $15,000.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Scammers target more than technology. They focus on human behavior. They create pressure, build trust and keep you engaged long enough to make a mistake. However, you can break the cycle. A single pause can disrupt the scam. Asking one question can expose it. Even a quick conversation with someone you trust can stop it. If you’d like to hear more of Dorothy’s story, you can catch our full conversation on my Beyond Connected podcast at getbeyondconnected.com/

If you got a text like this right now, would you pause or would you call? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.

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