AI has made completing tasks easier for many. But that also applies to scammers and fraudsters.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the way we complete tasks, and it’s becoming a part of our everyday lives. But like many technological innovations, AI can be a double-edged sword.
It can make life easier. And it can open the door to a new generation of scammers and fraudsters who can steal everything from your money to your identity. So it’s important to know what you’re up against in the modern world.
Deep-Fake Voice Cloning
Believe it or not, you may get a call from a robot claiming to be a loved one stating they’re in a desperate situation and need money. But before you reach for your debit card, understand this may be a scam.
It could be tied to what’s called voice cloning. Scammers gather a clip of someone speaking from anywhere including social media. They then use voice synthesis technology to generate new speech that sounds identical to the voice they analyzed.
These tricks are also known as grandparent scams, because thieves often dupe older individuals into thinking they are their grandchildren in urgent need of money.
And that’s key. Voice-cloning scammers often create an extreme sense of urgency. If you feel the call is too intense, it’s okay to hang up. Call the person directly and ask about the situation, if any.
Some experts also recommend that you use secret phrases among your loved ones in order to confirm their identity. But be sure to make it as obscure as possible. Don’t make it something users can find on their social media pages. And don’t share it through email or anywhere else, as these can be compromised as well. It should only be shared through word of mouth among your loved ones.
But what happens when it’s not a loved one, but someone you admire? Voice-cloning scammers have been known to duplicate the voices of celebrities and public officials to generate robo calls that trick people into donating to a cause or investment scheme.
You should immediately hang up on these types of calls. And if you’re really curious, you may want to check on the official websites or verified social media profiles of these individuals to see if they are involved with any organization.
Deep-Fake Video Calls
This trick is similar to a voice-cloning call. But it adds another convincing layer: video. Scammers use AI-generated videos of fake people or real people like your loved ones to make video calls. In these situations, they also may create a sense of urgency and ask for money. They may direct you to a malicious website where you’re tricked into providing sensitive financial information that the scammer can steal.
The rule of thumb is that if it seems incredibly urgent and requires money, a red flag should go up. Hang up the call and contact the person in question directly if possible. And beware of these videos elsewhere. They can appear in online advertisements and across social media—often involving celebrities and news anchors.
By Javier Simon
