Anti-Scam Tip: How to Spot and Question Suspicious or Fake Videos and Information in a World Where Fake and Real Blur Together Indistinguishably

We are living in an era where distinguishing between real and fake videos and other information has become incredibly difficult.

Thanks to advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and deepfake tools, manipulated content is more convincing than ever. Unlike a suspicious email or an unfamiliar phone call, verifying the authenticity of a video isn’t as straightforward as checking the sender or making a phone call. So what do you do when a video pops up unexpectedly on your feed, triggering an emotional reaction? The key is to pause and question before reacting.

Stop and Analyze Your Reaction

One of the most common ways manipulated content spreads is by triggering strong emotions—anger, fear, outrage, or even excitement. Scammers, propagandists, and malicious actors rely on quick emotional reactions to bypass rational thinking. If you feel an overwhelming urge to share or respond immediately, take a step back. That emotional jolt is your cue to slow down.

You may never be 100% certain if a video is fake, but stopping to think critically already puts you ahead of those who are easily manipulated.

Track Down the Original Source

One of the best ways to verify a questionable video is to track down where it originally came from. Videos that go viral on social media are often shared out of context, edited, or intentionally misrepresented. Start by searching for the video on reputable news sites or fact-checking platforms.

Here are a few steps to help you investigate:

• Reverse Image Search – Take a screenshot of the video and run it through a reverse image search tool like Google Lens or TinEye. This might lead you to the original source or a fact-checking article.
• Check for Watermarks or Logos – Many misleading videos steal footage from legitimate sources but blur out logos or crop the video to remove identifying marks. If a news station’s watermark is missing, that’s a clue that the video may have been altered.
• Look at the Metadata – If you have access to the original file, metadata can reveal when and where the video was recorded. Some online tools and news agencies analyze metadata to expose manipulated content.
• Compare to Official Sources – If the video claims to show breaking news, check if reputable news agencies are covering it. If no major outlets are reporting the same event, it might be fabricated or taken out of context.

Examine the Comments for Clues

Before believing a viral video, take a look at the comments section. Many times, people with expertise or prior knowledge may have already pointed out inconsistencies, debunked the footage, or linked to fact-checking sources. Social media platforms, while prone to misinformation, also have users dedicated to exposing fake content.

Look for:

• Fact-checking links – Some users may share sources debunking the video.
• Doubts from credible users – If people who specialize in media, technology, or journalism are questioning it, take their skepticism seriously.
• Patterns of bots or coordinated promotion – If the comments are overwhelmingly one-sided and push a particular narrative aggressively, it could be part of an organized disinformation campaign.

Watch for Mismatched Emotions and Body Language

Deepfake technology is improving, but it still struggles with syncing voice, facial expressions, and body language. If someone in a video appears to be delivering serious or emotional news, but their expressions and gestures don’t match, be suspicious.

Red flags include:

• Emotionless expressions – If someone is supposedly sharing devastating or urgent news but their face remains neutral, it may be a sign of digital manipulation.
• Inconsistent hand gestures – People naturally use their hands while speaking. If a person’s hands remain unnaturally stiff or out of sync with their speech, it could be a sign of artificial generation.
• Unnatural blinking or eye movement – Many deepfake videos struggle to replicate realistic eye movement. If someone barely blinks, stares unnaturally, or their gaze seems “off,” this could indicate AI-generated manipulation.

Default to Skepticism

In today’s digital landscape, the safest approach is to start by not trusting the video at all. Until you can confirm the source and authenticity, assume that it could be manipulated or misleading. The more people who practice critical thinking and skepticism, the less effective misinformation campaigns become.

By slowing down, questioning sources, analyzing body language, and checking for inconsistencies, you can protect yourself from falling for deceptive content. In a world where technology is making fake appear real, skepticism is your strongest defense.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Protect Yourself from Social Engineering

Manipulated content—whether deepfake videos, edited news clips, or misleading narratives—spreads because it triggers strong emotions. Social engineers, scammers, and propagandists rely on emotional manipulation to override rational thinking. The more urgent or emotionally charged a piece of content appears, the more likely people are to react impulsively without questioning its authenticity.

If you find yourself feeling an intense emotional reaction—whether it’s outrage, fear, sadness, or excitement—this is your first warning sign. That emotional jolt is your cue to stop and critically assess what you are seeing before reacting or sharing it further.

Step 1: Identify the Emotion Being Triggered

Pause for a moment and ask yourself:

• • • What am I feeling right now? (anger, fear, excitement, sympathy, etc.)
    • How strong is my urge to act on this feeling?
    • Would I normally react this strongly to a similar event?

Manipulative content is designed to create urgency and prevent logical processing. If you feel a powerful need to react immediately—by sharing, commenting, donating, or engaging—that’s a red flag. Your emotions may be clouding your judgment, making you more vulnerable to misinformation.

Step 2: Question the Timing

Ask yourself:

• • • Why am I seeing this video now?
    • Does this align with a current event or controversy?
    • Is the timing meant to provoke a particular reaction from viewers?

Social engineers carefully plan when and how to release content for maximum impact. If a video appears during a time of heightened tensions—elections, crises, or political conflicts—it could be designed to manipulate public opinion. Scammers also use this tactic, releasing fake fundraising campaigns immediately after disasters when emotions are running high.

Step 3: Consider Who Benefits from Your Reaction

Think about:

• • • Who gains something if I believe and share this video?
    • Is there a political, financial, or ideological motive behind it?
    • Does the source of the video have a history of spreading misinformation?

If a video is trying to convince you of something, consider the motive. Is it trying to sell you a product, persuade you of a political stance, or make you distrust a certain group? Propaganda and scams work by appealing to emotions and making people act before they think.

Step 4: Look for Authority and Verification

Before assuming a video is real, ask yourself:

• • • Has this event been reported by reputable news sources?
    • Are fact-checking organizations discussing this claim?
    • Can I find original footage from a reliable source?

A common social engineering trick is using low-quality or cropped video to remove identifying information. Scammers and propagandists rely on people assuming that just because something looks real, it must be real. Before reacting, search for the same event from verified news outlets. If a major event isn’t being covered by multiple sources, be skeptical.

Step 5: Reverse the Perspective

Try flipping the situation and looking at it from another angle:

• • • If I saw this same video but from the opposite perspective, would I still believe it?
    • Am I more likely to believe this because it aligns with my personal opinions?
    • Would I be this emotionally invested if this video was about a different person or group?

Social engineers know that people are more likely to believe things that confirm their existing biases. If the video supports your pre-existing beliefs, be extra cautious—it may be playing on confirmation bias to get you to react.

Step 6: Look for Inconsistencies in the Content

Finally, before reacting, scrutinize the video itself:

• • • Does the audio match the lips and body language of the person speaking?
    • Is the lighting or background inconsistent in a way that suggests manipulation?
    • Are there unnatural facial movements, blinking, or gestures that seem off?

Deepfake videos and edited footage often have small errors that can reveal their artificial nature. Pay close attention to the details—if something seems “off,” trust your instincts and verify before engaging.

Final Thought: When in Doubt, Do Nothing

If you’re not sure whether a video is real or fake, the best action is no action. Don’t share, don’t comment, and don’t engage until you have confirmed its authenticity. By practicing skepticism and questioning content before reacting, you reduce the spread of misinformation and protect yourself from emotional manipulation.

In today’s digital landscape, critical thinking is one of the best defenses against deception. Always take a moment to stop, analyze, and verify before allowing a video to dictate your emotions or actions.