I recently read an article about a mother in Arizona whose 15-year-old daughter was almost kidnapped by scammers who convinced her they were holding her hostage. The incident left the mother shaken, but luckily, it took only four minutes to confirm that her daughter was safe, according to the report. Additionally, with the rise of AI technology, there are now several recordings of famous artists whose voices have been reproduced using AI. This and many other things indicate that AI is moving quickly and is likely here to stay.
If you are like me, you may receive countless calls daily from scammers alleging to be from telecommunication services or the CRA. However, I have never received any calls claiming to be from a family member, and I can imagine how terrifying it would be to receive this type of message. Therefore, I started considering some ways to deal with this situation. Below, I have listed some steps to protect yourself and your family.
Here are some suggestions to protect yourself from scammers using AI-generated voices to impersonate family members:
- Be skeptical of unexpected calls: If you receive an unexpected call from someone claiming to be a family member or friend, be cautious. Verify their identity by asking questions that only they would know or call them back on a verified phone number.
- Avoid sharing personal information: Do not share personal information like bank account numbers, social security numbers, or passwords over the phone if the caller is an unknown person and cannot verify who they are.
- Stay informed: Keep yourself informed about the latest scamming techniques used by criminals, and stay up to date with security measures that you can take to protect yourself.
- Set up a code word: Establish a code word or phrase with your family members that only they would know. If someone calls claiming to be a family member but cannot provide the code word or phrase, it is likely a scam.
- Be wary of unusual requests: It may be a scam if the caller asks for unusual or unexpected requests, such as asking you to wire money or send gift cards. Step back, ask questions, and verify the caller’s identity before taking action.
- Do not rely solely on caller ID: Scammers can easily spoof caller ID to make it appear that the call is coming from a familiar number. Do not rely solely on caller ID to determine the authenticity of a call.
Remember that scammers often try to create a sense of urgency or fear to pressure you into acting quickly. Be vigilant and take your time to verify the caller’s identity before making any decisions. Overall, it is essential to stay vigilant and trust your instincts. If something seems off, take the necessary steps to verify the caller’s identity and protect yourself from potential scams.
