Artificial Intelligence, or more commonly referred to as AI, is a new and powerful tool that has rapidly integrated into nearly every facet of modern technology. For as accessible and convenient as AI can be, it can also be dangerous in the wrong hands. Scammers are now using AI to create new scams that are even more convincing than ever, so it has become crucial to know how to recognize and avoid these new digital heists.
Generative AI can be used to clone voices and from just a short clip, AI can recreate a person’s voice with high levels of accuracy. Generative AI can also be used to create what is called a “deepfake,” a fake video or image of a real person, public figure, or celebrity.
It is incredibly important to be able to spot malicious AI use. Scammers use these cloned voices and deepfakes to impersonate family members and ask unknowing victims for money, feigning kidnappings or other extremely urgent situations. You should be wary of someone asking you for money, gift cards, or sensitive information suddenly and is almost always the first sign of a scammer. Look out for unusual word choice or language in AI generated videos and for unnatural details such as strange body movements or inconsistent shadows in both.
In order to protect yourself from these advanced scams, it is essential not to get carried away by their sense of urgency. Slow down and verify the identity of whoever is contacting you. If they say they are a family member, call that family member’s direct phone to confirm.
Staying safe in today’s digital environment requires awareness and a level of skepticism. By remaining vigilant, you should be able to protect yourself and loved ones from falling for AI scams.
Source: University of Wisconsin-Madison
