The record

Where automated decisions went wrong

Incidents gathered from public reporting around the world. Each one links to the articles it came from. None of it is a finding that anyone broke the law.

Reports people file about their own experience are not shown here and never will be without their agreement. Tell us what happened to you.

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92 incidents closest to “Banking Advisor” · matched on meaning · public reporting

WF-S0D5SH3 Sep 2026

Douglas v. Deutsche Bank National Trust Company (D.C. Court of Appeals): AI-hallucinated content in court filing, Brief Stricken; Bar Referral

The AI generated fake legal citations that were included in an appellate brief, misleading the court and the opposing party.

AI system involved
Google AI

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-MBSYAF17 Jul 2022

Binance CCO warns scammers used AI deepfake of him to trick crypto projects

Patrick Hillmann, Chief Communications Officer at Binance, reported that over the past month a hacking team created a deepfake hologram of him using archived news interviews and TV appearances. The scammers used this AI-generated hologram to approach unsuspecting crypto project teams, falsely claiming to discuss token listings on Binance.com. The article warns that attempts to steal from users and projects through impersonation have increased, and urges vigilance.

Company involved
Binance
AI system involved
deep fake hologram

10 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-5824BM20 Nov 2022

Deepfake video of Sam Bankman-Fried used in crypto phishing scam

A verified Twitter account posted a deepfake video of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried claiming to offer compensation to users of the collapsed exchange. The video directed viewers to a phishing website, ftxcompensation.com, that asked them to connect their crypto wallets and send funds with the promise of doubling them. The site's Ethereum address reportedly received over $1,000 in ETH. The account was later suspended.

10 source articles · read the reporting →

SEC warns public of deep fake investment scams featuring Lance Gokongwei

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) warned the public that scammers are using deep fake videos and audio of Lance Gokongwei to endorse fraudulent investment schemes. The manipulated media circulate on social media, deceiving people into investing in a platform registered in Cyprus. Victims are asked to provide credit card details and OTPs, then lose contact when attempting to withdraw funds. The SEC advises the public to verify investment offers with the agency.

2 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-1GYM741 Aug 2020

Austrian court lifts ban on AMS job-chance prediction algorithm

The Austrian Federal Administrative Court overturned a ban by the Data Protection Authority on the AMS algorithm, which predicts job chances of unemployed people. The system, trained on historical data including age, gender, and nationality, categorises individuals as high, medium or low chance of re-employment. Critics argue it discriminates against women and mothers, and that the data is now outdated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The court ruled that the algorithm is lawful as long as a human advisor makes the final decision on training support.

Company involved
Arbeitsmarktservice (AMS)
AI system involved
AMS-Algorithmus

5 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-YK9Q5P10 Feb 2020

Barclays pilot of Sapience monitoring software causes employee stress

Barclays introduced a pilot of employee monitoring software from Sapience in its product control department at Canary Wharf. The system monitors computer activity and admonishes staff if they are not deemed active enough, recording breaks as "unaccounted activity". Employees reported significant stress and worry about taking breaks. Barclays acknowledged the pilot and said it would listen to feedback.

Company involved
Barclays
AI system involved
Sapience employee monitoring software

10 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-BBIPT515 Oct 2024

Google AI Overviews provide inaccurate finance information in 43% of searches

A study by The College Investor found that Google's AI Overviews provided misleading or inaccurate information in 43% of 100 personal finance-related searches. The AI-generated answers included outdated tax rules and incorrect student loan repayment plan details. One user believed she could convert her 529 plan to a Roth IRA in California, which is not allowed. Google has not responded to requests for comment.

Company involved
Google
AI system involved
AI Overviews

3 source articles · read the reporting →

Finnish recruitment company Digital Minds used AI to analyze job applicants' messages, prompting data protection investigation

Digital Minds, a Finnish recruitment company founded by psychologists, used IBM Watson AI to analyze job applicants' social media and email messages for personality assessments. The company obtained written consent but the Finnish Data Protection Ombudsman launched an investigation, suspecting violations of data protection laws and the secrecy of correspondence. The service was used on fewer than ten applicants and has been paused pending the investigation.

Company involved
Digital Minds
AI system involved
IBM Watson

9 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-IEVM2516 Mar 2021

Facebook Allowed Age-Targeted Credit Card Ads Violating Its Policy

The Markup found that four companies—Aspiration, Hometap, Chime, and Varo Bank—ran Facebook ads for credit cards and home equity loans that were targeted by age, excluding users under 25 or 35. This practice violates Facebook's own anti-discrimination policy and may violate the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and California's Unruh Civil Rights Act. Facebook did not respond to requests for comment, and some advertisers said they would review their ad targeting.

Company involved
Facebook
AI system involved
Facebook Ad Platform

9 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-VR6R0O1 Aug 2019

LoanDepot algorithm denied mortgage to Black couple in Charlotte

In August 2019, Crystal Marie and Eskias McDaniels, a Black couple, were denied a mortgage for a house in Charlotte, North Carolina, by loanDepot's automated underwriting algorithm. The algorithm rejected the application because Crystal Marie was a contractor, not a full-time employee, despite her high credit score and income. After the couple enlisted their real estate agent and employer to intervene, the lender reversed the decision and cleared them to close. The couple alleged that race played a role in the denial, which loanDepot denied.

Company involved
loanDepot
AI system involved
Classic FICO and Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac automated underwriting software

10 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-XHWUDY14 Jun 2022

Zhengzhou officials punished for red health codes on depositors

Five officials in Zhengzhou were punished for ordering red health codes to be assigned to 1,317 depositors of four village banks, restricting their movement and preventing them from withdrawing savings. The officials acted without authorization, and the codes were later turned green after media coverage. Legal experts say the liability for privacy invasion remains unresolved, and the banks may face breach of contract claims.

Company involved
Zhengzhou municipal government
AI system involved
Health code system

10 source articles · read the reporting →

Presto Automation uses off-site human agents to double-check AI drive-thru orders

Presto Automation Inc, which markets an AI voice assistant for drive-thru ordering, used off-site human agents in countries including the Philippines to double-check orders in more than 70% of customer interactions, according to SEC filings reported by Bloomberg. The company told Bloomberg that the process helps train its system and should reduce human intervention over time. Presto's drive-thru AI is used in more than 400 restaurants, including Del Taco, Carl's Jr and Checkers, and its stock fell more than 10% after the reports.

Company involved
Presto Automation Inc.

8 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-O2M7OU21 Mar 2025

City analyst Michael Hewson cloned in AI deepfake scam on social media

A deepfake video using AI to impersonate City analyst Michael Hewson circulated on Facebook and Instagram, directing users to a WhatsApp group promising undervalued investments. The scam used fear-of-missing-out tactics to lure victims. Hewson publicly disavowed the video and reported it to Meta, expressing anger.

Company involved
Meta

4 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-23YPHU1 Jan 2018

SEC charges American Bitcoin Academy over $1.2M AI scam

Brian Sewell, through his company American Bitcoin Academy, allegedly defrauded 15 students of $1.2 million by claiming his Rockwell Fund would use AI to generate high returns. The SEC charged that Sewell never launched the fund and lost the investors' money when his Bitcoin wallet was hacked. The case was settled with Sewell agreeing to pay $1.6 million in disgorgement and a $233,229 penalty.

Company involved
American Bitcoin Academy

6 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-ZJ35TI1 Dec 2024

NBI raids Makati love scam facility using AI-generated fake female profiles

The National Bureau of Investigation raided a Makati condominium believed to be a love-scam facility, arresting about 100 suspects. The scammers used AI-generated conversations and fake profile pictures of women to trick victims into investing in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. Singaporean actor Laurence Pang said he lost S$35,000 after being deceived by such a scheme via the dating site PinaLove in late 2024; the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group confirmed he was a victim. The NBI continues to interrogate a Chinese national said to be the supervisor.

2 source articles · read the reporting →

CJEU rules Dun & Bradstreet must explain automated credit decisions under GDPR

A customer was refused a mobile phone contract because of an automated credit assessment by Dun & Bradstreet Austria. The customer took the case to court, which found that Dun & Bradstreet had infringed the GDPR by failing to provide meaningful information about the logic involved. The CJEU ruled that data controllers must explain automated decisions and that trade secrets cannot automatically override the right of access.

Company involved
Dun & Bradstreet Austria GmbH

7 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-14BFFD28 May 2024

Klarna CEO faces backlash for using AI to halve marketing team

Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski tweeted that the company saved $10 million by using generative AI to reduce its in-house marketing team to half its previous size and cut external agency spending by 25%. The post sparked criticism on social media, with commenters calling the remarks 'ghoulish' and highlighting concerns about AI's impact on jobs. Klarna previously laid off 700 workers in 2022 and reduced headcount by 23% by end of 2023.

Company involved
Klarna
AI system involved
Midjourney, DALL-E, Adobe Firefly

6 source articles · read the reporting →

LinkedIn removes AI 'co-worker' accounts that were seeking jobs

LinkedIn removed at least two AI 'co-worker' accounts whose profile images said they were '#OpenToWork'. One account named Ella claimed it would outperform any social media team and needed no coffee breaks. The article does not specify further consequences.

Company involved
LinkedIn
AI system involved
AI 'co-worker' account 'Ella'

4 source articles · read the reporting →

DWP algorithm approved Kickstart gateways with no trading history or based abroad

An FE Week investigation found that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) approved dozens of companies as Kickstart gateways through automated due diligence checks using the Cabinet Office Spotlight Tool, although some had little or no trading history or were based abroad. The DWP said gateways were subject to stringent checks and later said human checks were also used. After the findings were shared with the Treasury and the DWP, the department stopped taking gateway applications and scrapped the requirement for small employers to use gateways from 3 February.

Company involved
Department for Work and Pensions
AI system involved
Cabinet Office Spotlight Tool

3 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-V1TSIX11 Mar 2023

Bots and short sellers spread misinformation to trigger First Republic Bank run

A report by Valent Technologies alleges that AI-powered bots and fake accounts spread misinformation about First Republic Bank in March 2023, coinciding with a $100 billion deposit withdrawal and the bank's collapse. The report suggests short sellers likely orchestrated the bots to drive down the share price. Federal regulators closed the bank and sold its assets to J.P. Morgan, and the bank's former CEO attributed the collapse to 'contamination' by anxiety.

2 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-8Y9KXF30 Mar 2024

Mumbai businessman loses Rs 80,000 in AI voice cloning scam

A 68-year-old businessman from Powai, Mumbai, was defrauded of Rs 80,000 after receiving a call from scammers posing as the Indian Embassy in Dubai. The fraudsters used AI voice cloning to mimic his son's voice, claiming he was arrested and needed bail money. The victim transferred the money via GPay before realising it was a scam when the call was disconnected. The Kanjurmarg police have registered a case and are investigating.

2 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-Y1WBTU22 Mar 2022

Citizens Advice finds ethnicity penalty in car insurance pricing

Citizens Advice conducted exploratory research into car insurance pricing and found that people of colour may be paying £250 more per year than White people. The research suggests that areas with large communities of colour may be identified as more risky by algorithms, even when objective risk factors are controlled. Citizens Advice has called on the Financial Conduct Authority to investigate the issue.

9 source articles · read the reporting →

Scammers use AI deepfakes to defraud Simcoe County residents of tens of thousands

Scammers are using AI-generated deepfake videos of public figures to promote fraudulent investment schemes, tricking residents of Simcoe County, Ontario, into transferring large sums of money via cryptocurrency. Victims, numbering at least half a dozen, have lost tens of thousands of dollars, with one losing over $100,000. The scammers, who pose as investment representatives, instruct victims to move money to crypto exchanges and then transfer it to untraceable addresses. MP Adam Chambers is calling for greater public awareness and platform accountability.

2 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-ZGAC7222 Apr 2024

AI-generated voice impersonates Liz Bonnin to deceive Incognito

Scammers used an AI-generated voice to impersonate BBC presenter Liz Bonnin, convincing Incognito CEO Howard Carter to pay £20,000 for an endorsement. Bonnin's likeness was used in insect repellant ads without her consent. The AI-generated voice note exhibited inconsistent accent and cadence, as assessed by experts. Incognito reported the incident to police and its bank.

6 source articles · read the reporting →

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