Protect Yourself: How AI Voice Cloning Scams Impersonate Loved Ones
AI is here to help, whether you’re drafting an email, making concept art, or running a scam on vulnerable folks by making them think you’re a friend or relative in distress. AI is versatile! But since some people would rather not be scammed, let’s talk a little about what to watch out for.
Key Points:
- Rise in AI-generated media for scams.
- Dangers of voice cloning.
- Personalized phishing emails.
- Identity fraud with AI-created personas.
- Threat of AI-generated deepfakes.
AI in Scams: A New Twist on Old Tricks
Recent advancements in AI have led to an increase in the quality and accessibility of generated media, from text and audio to images and videos. While these tools can assist artists and non-native speakers, they can also be exploited for malicious purposes.
No, the Terminator won’t knock on your door with a Ponzi scheme, but classic scams are now more convincing thanks to AI.
Voice Cloning of Family and Friends
Synthetic voices have existed for decades, but recent advances mean new voices can be generated from just a few seconds of audio. If your voice has ever been broadcast publicly, it’s vulnerable to cloning.
Scammers use this technology to create convincing fake versions of loved ones. For instance, you might get a voicemail that sounds like your child, claiming they need money because they’re in trouble. Variants include car troubles, medical emergencies, and other urgent situations.
A notable incident involved scammers using President Biden’s voice. Though the culprits were caught, future scammers will likely be more careful.
Protection Tips:
- Don’t try to spot a fake voice; they’re getting better and can fool even experts.
- Treat messages from unknown numbers, emails, or accounts as suspicious.
- Contact the supposed friend or loved one directly through usual means to verify.
- Ignore suspicious messages; scammers rarely follow up.
Personalized Phishing and Spam via Email and Messaging
AI-powered text generation makes it possible to send mass emails customized to each recipient. With frequent data breaches, a lot of personal information is available to scammers.
Imagine receiving an email like, “Hi Doris! I’m with Etsy’s promotions team. An item you looked at recently is now 50% off! Use this link to claim the discount.” This level of personalization makes phishing attempts much more convincing.
Protection Tips:
- Always verify sender authenticity.
- Avoid clicking links or attachments from unknown sources.
- Seek a second opinion if unsure about an email.
Identity Fraud with AI-Created Personas
With so much personal data from breaches, it’s easy to create an AI persona that sounds like you and has access to facts used for identity verification. This could fool customer service into giving access to your accounts.
Protection Tips:
- Use strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication.
- Monitor account activities for unusual behavior.
- Respond promptly to security alerts.
AI-Generated Deepfakes and Blackmail
One of the scariest AI scams involves deepfake images for blackmail. AI can create realistic but fake intimate images of anyone, which scammers use to extort money by threatening to release them.
Protection Tips:
- Understand that deepfakes can often be disproven by inconsistencies.
- Report such incidents to authorities.
- Legal measures are increasing against this form of harassment.
AI is a double-edged sword. While it brings incredible advancements, it also empowers scammers in new ways. Staying vigilant and adopting robust security practices can help protect you from these sophisticated scams. If you encounter AI-related scams, report them and seek expert advice. Your awareness is your best defense.
