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Scam calls aren’t new, but AI-powered ones are a new dangerous breed.
They use generative AI to imitate not just authorities or celebrities, but friends and family.
These tools, such asOpenAIs voice API, support real-time conversation between a human and the AI model.
So how can you stay safe?
Just a few seconds of audio is enough to simulate the voice of a loved-one.
This could easily be sourced form a video shared on social media.
Even tools designed to beat scammers demonstrate how blurred the lines have become.
Disturbingly, fraudsters can train AI voices based on very small audio samples.
This could easily be sourced form a video shared on social media.
The difference with voice-clone scams are two-fold.
Secondly, they are able to imitate not just authorities and celebrities, but people known directly to you.
All thats required is an audio sample, which is usually taken from a video online.
This is then analyzed by the AI model and imitated, allowing it to be used in deceptive interactions.
One increasingly common technique is for the AI model to imitate a family member requesting money in an emergency.
The technology can also be used to simulate voices of high-profile individuals to manipulate victims.
Agree a safe phrase with friends and family2.
Ask the caller to confirm some recent private information3.
Listen for uneven stresses on words or emotionless talk4.
Hang up and call the person back5.
AI voice clones can imitate a persons speech pattern, but they wont necessarily have access to private information.
Trust your ear as well.
While AI voice clones are very convincing, they arent 100% accurate.
Listen for tell-tale signs such as uneven stresses on certain words, emotionless expression or slurring.
Voice-clone scams also rely on the same tactics as traditional phone scams.
The same red flags apply to callers claiming to be from your bank or another authority.
It pays to be familiar with the procedures used by your bank when contacting you.
