Artificial intelligence, while promising, is currently being exploited by criminals to fool unsuspecting phone users. With AI, voices can be copied quickly, resulting in convincing clones used to scam money or sensitive information from friends and family.
Understand the threat
According to Jasdev Dhaliwal from McAfee, voice cloning, also known as voice synthesis or voice mimicry, allows individuals to reproduce voices with incredible accuracy. Originally developed for benign purposes such as voice assistants, it has unfortunately become a tool for malicious actors looking to take advantage of victims, The Sun reported.
Also read: Apple HomePod is about to have a major design change? Prototype with touch LCD screen surface
Deploy countermeasures
Identifying cloned voices is challenging, but there are two strategies to minimize the risk. First, establishing a safe word with loved ones can serve as a quick fact-check during unexpected calls requesting money or sensitive data. By using a safe word, individuals can reveal potential scams because it is unlikely that scammers will know it.
Verify authenticity
Second, asking personal questions can further confirm the caller’s identity. By asking questions about shared memories or past experiences, individuals can verify authenticity. If you are still in doubt, you should contact the person using an alternative method.
Also read: CERT-In warns about critical vulnerabilities in Microsoft Defender for IoT
Take preventative measures
In addition to these precautions, caution should be exercised when asked to send money through unconventional means. Statistics show the prevalence and impact of phone scams, with millions of Americans falling victim and losing significant amounts of money.
Always be alert
To combat these scams, individuals are advised to never reveal personal or financial information over the phone. Signing up for the Do Not Call Registry and using spam call filtering applications can reduce your risk of encountering scam calls. Furthermore, exercising discretion when sharing phone numbers and scrutinizing unique money transfer requests are important steps to protect against fraud.
Also read: Earth Day 2024: Google Maps and Search offer easy ways to find electric vehicle charging stations
Report suspicious activity
Any suspicious activity, especially sudden withdrawal requests using unfamiliar methods, should be reported to the authorities to prevent further exploitation by criminals.
By applying these conversation tactics and remaining vigilant, individuals can protect themselves and their loved ones from falling victim to AI voice cloning scams.
