Why You Should Be Wary of AI Tech and the Voice Scams It Helps Create
Sharon Koehler
Stone Industry Consultant
Lately, we have been hearing a lot about AI (artificial intelligence). It seems to be everywhere. More and more apps are embracing and using it, college kids are using it to write papers, Congress is having meetings and hearings about it, and some of the people who helped to create it are now admitting they are sorry that they did.
Even the Beatles, one of, if not the best rock and roll band of all time, is going to use it. Paul McCartney, founding father of the Beatles, has announced that with the help of AI, they are going to mimic long dead Beatle John Lennon’s voice and put out a new song! Seriously!?
AI, scary as it may seem, has the potential to do a lot of good. However, along with the potential to do good, AI also has the potential to do great harm, especially when the scammers get hold of it and start using it, which, truthfully and unfortunately, they already have. AI, in the hands of bad actors, is taking scamming to a new level.
It all started out innocently enough. Most, if not all of us, ask Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, or some other technological assistant for information pretty doggone frequently. (Like multiple times a day.) In an effort to make those “voices” sound more pleasing and human, the technology behind it was ever-changing and improving. However, the same technology that enables these voice assistants to assist us, can also be used by “bad actors” aka CROOKS and CRIMINALS!!
How exactly do they do this? There are three extremely common ways criminals fool you with AI.
Impersonation: AI voice scammers often impersonate trusted individuals or organizations, such as bank representatives, tech support agents, or government officials. They simulate familiar voices to establish credibility and gain the victim’s trust. By imitating the voice of someone known to the victim, the victims lower their guard which increases the chances of success for the scammer.
Social Engineering: Scammers use social engineering tactics to manipulate victims into revealing sensitive information or performing actions that benefit the scammer. By using emotional triggers, urgency, or fear, they bully individuals into revealing personal details, financial information, or even transferring money. These tactics exploit basic human psychology, often catching victims off guard and clouding their judgment.
Spoofing Techniques: AI voice scams can employ techniques like caller ID spoofing to display a legitimate number or organization on the recipient’s caller ID, further enhancing the deception. This makes it difficult for victims to discern whether the call is genuine or a scam. Scammers can also manipulate audio recordings to mimic background noise, making the call sound more authentic. In this instance, the scam or fraud app you have on your phone may not detect the call as a scam or fraud, leading it to look more credible to you.
How can this affect you in real life?
Financial Fraud: Scammers pose as bank representatives, requesting victims to verify their account details or transfer funds to resolve a phony issue such as being overdrawn or a debit/credit card issue. They use AI voice technology to imitate genuine bank employees, making victims believe they are interacting with a trusted source. These scams prey on people’s trust in their financial institutions and take advantage of their fear of financial loss.
Tech Support Scams: Scammers impersonate technical support agents, claiming to detect malware or system errors on victims’ computers. They convince individuals to grant remote access to their devices or purchase unnecessary software, thereby gaining unauthorized access or financial benefits.
These scams exploit people’s reliance on technology and their willingness to seek assistance when facing technical issues, usually because most people don’t know how to fix more than the simplest technological problems with their devices.
Voice Phishing (Vishing): AI voice scammers may deploy vishing attacks, wherein they pose as government agencies or law enforcement officers, intimidating victims into sharing personal information or making immediate payments to avoid legal consequences. These scams prey on people’s fear of authority and the desire to comply with legal obligations.
Impersonating the IRS is a common scam, and an old one. An agent calls you and tells you that you owe back taxes, and they need immediate payment. Two more very common ones are: A family member calls and says they are kidnapped or in jail and they need help. Or your utility company calls you and says they will cut off the service if you don’t pay a past due amount immediately. The list goes on and on.
Recently, on the news, there was a woman who thought her grandson had been kidnapped. She commented that the voice sounded just like her grandson. (AI at work). She was prepared to pay thousands until the little voice in the back of her mind urged her to call her grandson. He was fine. Another woman in Arizona thought her 15-year-old daughter had been kidnapped. The mother swore it was her child’s voice, and she was in distress. It wasn’t, and her daughter was fine, ascertained after a panicked phone call. This is happening more and more often.
How can you protect yourself against such scams? While nothing is foolproof, there are some things you can do to help minimize your risk. The best way to avoid being scammed is to educate yourself and keep yourself updated on current scams and how they work.
Then watch out for:
- Urgent, bullying language.
- Demands for payment in unusual ways such as crypto or gift cards.
- No background noises.
- Buffering or awkward silences.
- Inconsistencies in their story to you.
Ask for a contact name and return phone number. If they can’t or won’t provide one – be wary.
Recently, I received a call from AT&T asking for payment on a past due bill. The problem? I didn’t use AT&T for phone, internet, TV, or home security. I knew the call was bogus so when I asked for a number to call back after I checked my records, they hung up. Another time I had an “IRS” agent call me about back taxes. She wanted immediate payment. When I asked for her IRS ID number to give my attorney, she refused and quickly hung up. Sound like a red flag to you? The real issue is that these calls came across my phone as AT&T and Internal Revenue Service. Let’s face it, that second one is scary, no matter who you are.
Are you wondering how these scammers get all these “voices” to duplicate? Social media is the prime source. Think about all the videos you post online and how your online presence leads back to people you are close to, family and friends alike. Scammers are tricky people. They can take a voice clip and do wonders with it. (Or evil, as the case may be.)
The bottom line is: Be vigilant. Be educated. Be aware and most of all, be careful. AI has a lot of positive, good uses. However, it can be used by bad people for bad things. Don’t become a victim.
Please send your thoughts and comments on this article to Sharon Koehler at Sharonk.SRG@gmail.com .