AI helps bad actors be more effective than ever. They create deep fake videos, AI-generated phone calls, and other scams, some of which have led to devastating consequences. Use these tips to protect yourself from AI-generated scams:
Realize Even Photos Can Give an AI Attacker All they Need to Know:
AI-based facial recognition enables bad actors to link you to locations, people, and your daily activities. Some photos you take with your phone contain exact location data. Protect yourself and inform your friends:
-Adjust privacy settings on social media, making profiles private and sharing only with trusted connections.
-Be cautious when posting photos that reveal sensitive details about you and your loved ones.
-Disable geotagging on your smartphone’s camera app to prevent automatic location embedding.
Verify the Identity of the Caller:
Attackers can change their Caller-ID to match whomever they’re impersonating. When receiving a suspicious call, verify the caller’s identity by asking a question that only they would know the answer to. Avoid questions that could be answered with information on social media or online. If you receive a call from a loved one in distress, hang up and call them back on a known number.
Set a Code Word with Loved Ones:
Set a ‘code word’ with your kids, family members, or trusted close friends that only you and they would know. They can use this code word to confirm their identity in a genuine emergency and contact you.
Educate Yourself About Deepfakes:
Deepfakes are AI-generated videos or audio that can convincingly mimic real people. Familiarize yourself with the signs of a deepfake, such as suspiciously good voice recording quality, no discernible background noise, unnatural blinking patterns, poor lip-syncing, or anything that seems a little off. People can use AI to put your face on a scantily clad body doing embarrassing things. The deepfake videos look convincing, and the bad actors will threaten to share the pictures online or with your friends or family and demand money. Cyberbullying is real.
Be Aware of Current AI Scams:
Common scams include a caller claiming they are from the IRS or that you have a warrant out for your arrest. The IRS provides an updated list of scams here: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts. One of the most prominent organizations in the UK that provides information and guidance on scams is the “Action Fraud” website: www.actionfraud.police.uk
Recognize AI Hallucinations:
Another red flag is inconsistency in the story or information provided. Like when using a chatbot, you sometimes identify responses sounding goofy. If you notice contradictions or a seemingly confused train of thought, that is a clue that AI might be generating the audio.
Teach Your Youngsters:
Teach them that AI can allow attackers to figure out lots about them, and they should not share their real names, family members’ names, city names, addresses, phone numbers, school names, or birthday information. They must assume that every person they chat with or meet in games may not be who they claim to be, even if they sound like friends from school, due to knowing accurate details. You don’t want to terrify your young people to the point that they cannot sleep, so you might choose to limit the number of and how frequently you share horror stories.
Use Verified Communication Channels:
Whenever possible, use verified communication channels, especially for sensitive conversations. For example, use your bank’s official app for financial transactions instead of a link sent via email. Use encrypted email to communicate sensitive information.
Keep Your Cool:
Scammers often impersonate trusted individuals or organizations in some crisis or drama to trigger your brain into fight or flight mode. Attackers try to freak you out so you make poor choices. Beware of urgent, unexpected, or out-of-character phone calls.
Please forward this to your friends and coworkers so they know these top strategies to protect themselves from falling victim to AI-generated scams.
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