The Umbrella

This is the latest in our “How to Spot” series. In this blog, we explore How to Spot: Artificial Intelligence Scams.  In these case studies, we highlight an emerging or common scam that we see being used against consumers. The case study includes an example, based on true events, of “How It Can Happen”. And finally, we provide tips on how to avoid becoming a victim. Of course, these scams come in many variations, but this basic knowledge should be helpful in keeping you alert.  Check out some of the other posts from this series here. 

AI Voice Cloning Scams: A New Wave of Deceptive Tactics

Recently, scammers have elevated their fraudulent techniques by harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to clone voices. This disturbing trend has surged over the past two years. So, it is imperative that we explore How to Spot: Artificial Intelligence Scams.

How This Scam Works

This alarming development involves scammers targeting individuals on social media, obtaining audio or video of their voices and cloning it. The scammers then place convincing calls to the victim’s friends or family. And then they attempt to extract money or sensitive information.

According to cybersecurity experts, AI tools are being used to replicate voices with remarkable accuracy. Voice cloning scams have particularly gained traction over the past year, presenting a new frontier in the world of cyber threats.

The scammers need as little as three seconds of audio for a realistic clone. The recorded sample is then processed through an AI program. This allows scammers to manipulate the cloned voice and gives them the ability to add scripted emotions such as fear or laughter.

Scammers then craft deceptive, tailored narratives which makes their calls eerily convincing.

Victims have reported receiving calls that sound exactly like their loved ones. In the calls, the AI generated voice claims to be in a desperate situation, like an accident or in police custody.

Subsequent calls from supposed public defenders providing detailed legal information and urging immediate financial assistance add an extra layer of deceit.

How AI Voice Cloning Scams Can Happen:

I received a call that I thought was my son. It sounded exactly like his voice. My son was rattled and in trouble. He said that he was in an accident. He was injured and had also injured someone else. He said that he was now being held by the police.

My son gave me the name and phone number of a public defender that he had been assigned.

As I got off the phone, my mind racing, I received a call from the supposed public defender. He gave me his name, the county clerk’s info and told me to how to wire $9,500 for my son’s bail.

I honestly believed the person calling me was my son. It sounded exactly like him. And the public defender was equally convincing and very professional.

Luckily, I tried calling my son back, this time using a video call on Facebook Messenger, which we usually use to contact each other. Fortunately, my son answered and had no idea what I was talking about. He informed me that I was being scammed. It is going to become really important to know how to spot artificial intelligence scams in the future.

How to Protect Yourself from AI Voice Cloning Scams

You must be vigilant because these scams are getting very sophisticated. As this fraud spreads, it will be even more important to understand how to spot artificial intelligence scams. Federal regulators are rapidly trying to respond to this new challenge, but the best protection against AI scams is your own diligence.

• If you receive an unexpected, emergency or distress-type of call, verify the identity of the person calling you. Be sure to call them back and use a known number. Alternatively, contact someone else who knows them and can verify the emergency.
• Sharing personal videos on social media, especially those with audio, is now something you may want to reconsider.
• Likewise, you may consider scrubbing your social media profile for any existing audio and video clips.