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Scammers are adopting AI at a shocking pace, making it even more challenging for many to identify the signs.
Harvard Business Review reported that 60% of participants in a study had fallen prey to AI-powered phishing attacks and that using machine learning to create those scams saved scammers 95% of the cost of generating them. The University of Virginia reported that deepfake versions of people asking for money or sensitive information are becoming more common. With the ability to spoof virtually any phone number for a call and make voices sound like practically anyone they want, scammers have opened an entirely new world of possibilities — and it’s scary.
In February 2024, scammers tricked the CFO of a major company in Hong Kong into sending them $25 million via a fake video call with the company’s CEO. In this new age where it’s tough to tell what’s real and what’s not, how can you know if you’re being scammed? These tips are a great way to start.
Look for Telltale Signs
The person on the video call might look like your boss, or the person on the phone might sound like your son or daughter, but deepfakes are always imperfect copies of the person they’re trying to imitate. They can’t perfectly imitate speech patterns, movements, or mannerisms, and if you’re paying attention, you’ll notice things that don’t seem quite right.
It could be a turn of phrase that doesn’t make sense or a movement that doesn’t seem normal. But if someone isn’t acting like themselves on a call or a video conference, they might not be.
Beware Sudden Emergencies that Require “Urgent Action”
One of the most common scams is someone pretending to be a person you know or trust asking you for money. The best way they do that is to fake an emergency, usually one that requires immediate action on your part, and typically in the form of some kind of cash transfer.
They know that the more time you get to think, the less likely it is that you’ll do what they want. They’ll likely push you to move your money quickly, often without getting off the call. If they’re pressing you to make the fix RIGHT NOW, something may be fishy.
Know How Professional Organizations Will Contact You
Another typical scam is fake callers posing as representatives of the Social Security Administration (SSA), your bank, the IRS, or even the police. They’ll tell you that you owe a certain amount of money, need to give your social security number to verify your identity, or may even claim you’re being charged with a crime.
Remember, no legitimate organization will call you to ask for money or sensitive information like your social security number. The IRS and SSA communicate via letters if you owe money. Your bank has multiple means of reaching you and will never ask for sensitive information over the phone. And if the police need something from you, they’ll probably show up at your door and ask you for it. None of those organizations will ask you for money over the phone. 
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Double-check Your Source
If someone is asking you for money, and you need clarification on whether it’s legitimate, tell them you need more time and end the call. If it’s a person or a number you recognize, give them a call or send them a text message to confirm. If it’s your boss, send them an email and make sure you copy someone from the human resources department on it, if possible. If it’s legit, you’ll find out very quickly. If it’s not, you’ll likely find out even faster.
The same goes for someone posing as a government agency or a bank. You can always check your bank balance via a trusted app or phone number, and your local police department will know if they have contacted you. Ultimately, when you’re in doubt, take a minute and check it out.
Don’t Keep it a Secret
One of the telltale signs of a scam is a push to keep a conversation secret. Anytime someone is pushing you not to share information about needing money, it should raise an immediate red flag.
While there’s no perfect way to avoid scammers, these tips can be super helpful to ensure you stay safe.
The post Tips to Stay Safe from Scammers in the Age of AI appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
