Beware of a new scam that involves artificial intelligence, or AI, as criminals are using voice cloning to deceive people.
Officials are warning the public to be extra cautious when receiving phone calls from someone claiming to know them, as it could be a voice cloning scammer pretending to be a relative or friend for criminal activity.
The scammers use AI to clone a person’s voice, which only takes a few seconds of talking to accomplish.
They do this by pulling audio from social media posts or other accessible audio files online.
The most dangerous voice cloning scams involve public figures, celebrities, and politicians, as there are countless hours of their audio available online for scammers to use.
According to the Better Business Bureau, it’s difficult to know if your voice has been cloned, but there are signs to watch out for.
If someone is asking for payment, especially in a way that’s untraceable, such as through Venmo, PayPal, or wire transfer, that’s a red flag.
It’s also important to avoid voice identification systems and be cautious of who’s on the other end of the line, even if they claim to be a relative, friend, or official asking for help or money.
If you suspect you’ve been scammed, call local law enforcement and the Better Business Bureau to report it.
It’s best to hang up if you’re even slightly suspicious of a caller, as staying on the line could put you at risk of losing money to a scam.
Companies are working to identify voice cloning from real calls, but it’s up to individuals to stay vigilant and protect themselves from this new type of scam.
