The Newest AI Scam Is More Dangerous Than Ever: Here’s How to Protect Yourself
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a hot topic these days, with many people asking how it will impact our lives. While AI might make certain activities easier, scammers are also looking for ways to use technology to their advantage. They are now utilising artificial intelligence to impersonate loved ones’ voices in traumatic situations, duping unknowing victims into providing money or personal information. Scammers that pose as kidnapped family members and demand a ransom money are a prevalent type of scam.
To avoid falling victim to AI scams, here are some steps you can take:
1. Be wary of unsolicited phone calls purporting to be from a loved one. Be wary if you receive a call from someone claiming to be a family member in difficulty. Hang up and contact your loved one directly using a reliable phone number. Ask detailed inquiries that only your true family member would be able to answer. If you received the call on a landline, wait a few seconds before dialling to check you’re not still connected to the scammer.
2. Use caution while sharing on social media. Examine your social media sites on a regular basis and delete any audio recordings of yourself or loved ones. This will make it more difficult for scammers to manipulate voices. Change your privacy settings to restrict who has access to your personal information.
3. Never give money or wire money in response to a phone call. Before taking any action, always independently check the veracity of any requests. It is usually impossible to reclaim money once it has been sent to the scammer.
4. Do not act without first considering. Hearing about a loved one in difficulty can be upsetting and lead to rash decisions. Before taking any action, take a minute to pause, examine, and check the circumstance. This will aid in the prevention of financial losses.
Contact your local Consumer Protection Division if you feel you or someone you know has been a victim of an AI scam. They can offer advice and direction on how to continue.
