One afternoon, my grandmother's telephone rings.
“Grandma??”
Hello?
“Hi, it's me!”
Hi?
“I am in trouble. Mom is going to kill me.”
What are you talking about?
“I’ve been arrested, it’s a huge misunderstanding, I need $2,000.”
Oh, really?
“I know! I am sorry, Grandma, buts its an emergency.”
Uh…huh...
This is a true story. And although it feels like yesterday, in reality it has been several years. It’s a perfect example of how the more things change, the more they stay the same. Prior to the proliferation of AI, back in the good ole days, scammers simply had a young female voice, play the part of the frightened granddaughter in desperate need of $2,000 in visa gift cards.
Today, scammers have improved this tried and true, classic scam. Now the call comes in and the number is either spoofed to look like it is coming from a grandchild, or simply reads PRIVATE. When the grandparent answers, they hear the voice of their grandchild, it is their voice! Maybe their grandchildren’s voice calls them by their grandma name, Nana, YaYa, or Gams. Instead of being arrested, the grandchild owes someone money or claims to being blackmailed, photos will go viral if they don’t pay.
Beware the AI Phone Scams: How to Protect Yourself in the Age of Technology
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought about incredible advancements in numerous fields, from healthcare to entertainment. However, this technology has also opened new avenues for scammers to exploit unsuspecting individuals. One of the most alarming trends in this area is the emergence of AI-driven telephone scams. In this blog, we’ll dive into what these scams look like, how they work, and, most importantly, how you can protect yourself.
What Are AI Telephone Scams?
AI telephone scams utilize sophisticated technology to manipulate phone calls and deceive individuals. These scams can take various forms, but the common thread is the use of AI to mimic voices, create realistic-sounding conversations, and trick people into giving up sensitive information or money.
1. Voice Cloning: Scammers use AI algorithms to clone a person’s voice, often with just a few audio samples. This technology can recreate the voice with frightening accuracy, making it seem as if you’re receiving a call from someone you know and trust.
Don’t think you would be fooled? Check out these stories: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/ai-phone-scam-voice-call-b2459449.html
2. Deepfake Audio: Similar to deepfake videos, deepfake audio involves creating synthetic voices that sound incredibly convincing. Scammers use these voices to impersonate authority figures like company executives or government officials.
3. AI-Generated Speech: AI can also generate natural-sounding speech, allowing scammers to script complex conversations that adapt in real-time based on the responses they receive from the victim.
How Do These Scams Work?
AI telephone scams typically follow a few common strategies:
1. Impersonation: Scammers may use AI to impersonate family members, friends, or colleagues. They might claim to be in an emergency situation or need immediate help, pressuring you to act quickly without verifying their identity.
2. Phishing: Using AI-generated voices, scammers can pose as bank representatives or government officials, asking for sensitive information like Social Security numbers, credit card details, or login credentials.
3. Fraudulent Transactions: By convincing individuals of urgent financial needs or investments, scammers use AI to facilitate fraudulent transactions, often using high-pressure tactics to rush victims into making decisions.
Signs of an AI Telephone Scam
Recognizing an AI-driven scam can be challenging, but there are some red flags to watch out for:
1. Unusual Requests: Be cautious if you receive a call with unusual requests for money or personal information, especially if the call seems urgent or threatening.
2. Unverified Contacts: If the caller claims to be someone you know but uses unusual language or appears out of character, take a step back and verify their identity through another channel.
3. Pressure Tactics: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to make you act quickly. If you feel pressured or uneasy, hang up and contact the person or organization directly through official channels.
How to Protect Yourself
Here are some practical steps to safeguard yourself from AI telephone scams:
1. Verify Identity: If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and use a trusted method to verify the caller’s identity. For example, if the caller claims to be a family member, call their known number directly.
2. Educate Yourself: Stay informed about the latest scam techniques and familiarize yourself with the signs of a scam. Awareness is your first line of defense.
3. Use of Call Screening: Many phone services offer call screening or blocking features that can help filter out suspicious calls. Consider using these tools to reduce your exposure to potential scams.
4. Report Scams: If you encounter a scam, report it to the relevant authorities. In the U.S., this could be the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Reporting helps build a case against scammers and protect others from falling victim. See FCC Telephone Scam Complaints & FTC Report Fraud
5. Strengthen Security: Ensure that your online accounts are secure with strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication where possible. This adds an extra layer of protection in case your information is compromised.
Conclusion
My grandmother was not fooled by the phony grandchild in distress routine. We spoke
often; she knew our voices and colloquialisms. None of us 5 grandchildren would get in that sort of trouble or would need to call her for $2,000. And lastly, we never, ever, called her, Grandma.
I do not know if they story would end the same today. I hope it would. I hope even if the voice sounded like one of her grandkids, she would be suspicious about the request. I hope she would make up a reason to hang up and call us directly to confirm our identity. I hope something would feel fishy, suspicious, or just off and she would act on those instincts.
AI telephone scams represent a growing threat in our increasingly digital world. By understanding how these scams operate and staying vigilant, you can protect yourself from becoming a victim. Remember, it’s always better to be cautious and verify before taking action, especially when it comes to sensitive information and financial transactions. Stay informed, stay safe, and don’t let AI-driven deceit disrupt your peace of mind.