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

Some users view AI chatbots as indispensable for helping run their affairs. But it can come at a cost. Photograph: Andriy Onufriyenko/Getty Images

David Duggan* was so impressed with the ability of the Claude chatbot to answer medical questions and organise family life, that a $20-a-month (£15) subscription seemed like money well spent.

But then his wife spotted two $200 payments on his credit card bill for gift cards to use the artificial intelligence tool.