Don’t wait for the government to shield you from scams driven by AI. Stay alert as you might receive a fraudulent call soon. “Voice cloning,” powered by AI, is being used to deceive individuals.
The Identity Theft Resource Center highlights the challenge posed by the surge in AI-driven scams, making it tricky to differentiate between a friend and a foe during phone conversations. Scammers utilize AI for everyday voice cloning schemes, pretending to be acquaintances, family members, or colleagues.
The proliferation of AI-driven scams raises the question of how to discern the intentions of the caller on the other end. Voice cloning scams, a longstanding issue, are continuously evolving with the advancement and increased accessibility of AI technology.
AI is not only capable of replicating the voices of celebrities and public figures but is also employed in common voice cloning scams impersonating familiar contacts. These scams encompass a wide range of scenarios, from spreading misinformation during elections to ransom kidnapping schemes.
These AI-driven scams encompass various forms, including spreading election misinformation and executing kidnapping for ransom scams, requiring only a brief voice sample to generate a convincing clone. The sophistication of the technology enables scammers to incorporate accents, age ranges, background noises, and more.
Although the Federal Trade Commission prohibits government agencies from using AI to communicate with individuals, cybercriminals are relentless in their pursuit of personal data round the clock.
To safeguard yourself, consider the following measures:
- End the call and remain calm. Take a moment to compose yourself and reach out to the supposed caller to validate the situation if you are unable to contact them.
- Exercise caution during all phone conversations, even if the voice sounds familiar. Pay attention to unusual remarks, inquiries, or demands, particularly related to finances or personal/business details.
- Refrain from using personalized voicemail greetings. These can provide malicious actors with easy access to your voice.
- Beware of requests for money or information. Identity thieves typically target individuals with substantial assets or employees with access to sensitive business data. Cybercriminals employ various tactics to instill panic or urgency, such as falsely claiming a loved one is in peril or immediate payment is required to avert a crisis.
If you suspect you have fallen victim to a scam, contact your local authorities and report the incident to the FTC. The agency collaborates with over 2,800 law enforcement agencies by sharing such reports.
