How "artificial imposters" use AI to trick victims into handing over billions: Internet Scambusters #1,078
Artificial intelligence (AI) is turning the world upside down - and scammers love it.
That's because it helps them make their tricks seem all the more convincing, especially when it comes to voice-cloned distress calls.
In this week's issue, we'll tell you what the crooks are up to and what you can do to safeguard against these scams.
Let's get started…
How Artificial Intelligence Is Turbocharging Frauds and Scams
A huge rise in imposter scams using artificial intelligence (AI) during the first few months of this year has set alarm bells ringing across the globe.
"Artificial imposters," as they're being called, need to grab just a few seconds of a person's voice online to clone it and make realistic calls to friends and family - ranging from fake kidnap demands to pleas for financial help.
And, according to latest research, as many as half of all Americans share their voices on the Internet every week. Which gives scammers plenty of targets to go for.
This type of imposter fraud, which used to be called the grandparent scam, cost Americans $2.6 billion last year but the rapid development of AI is likely to see that number soar in 2023 and beyond.
In a detailed study published by security software company McAfee this past May, researchers explained: "In the past, those wishing to create these (scams) needed to have both the time and technical ability to replicate voices, but applications and tools that produce near instantaneous, highly believable results are now just a few clicks away."
The researchers found that a quarter of adults surveyed said they'd experienced an AI voice scam or knew someone who had.
In one recent incident, a mother told a Senate judiciary committee she'd received a call from what sounded exactly like her daughter saying she'd been kidnapped. The scammers demanded a ransom of $1 million. Fortunately, after police intervention, she confirmed her daughter was safe at home.
Sadly, although voice cloning is probably the biggest and fastest growing AI-related scam, it's just the tip of the iceberg.
Lina Khan, chair of the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), said recently that cybercriminals are using AI tools to "turbocharge" frauds and scams.
7 More AI Scams
Other AI scams, many of which we've reported on in recent past issues, include:
- Cleverly worded phishing emails that mimic the writing style of the supposed sender.
- Deep fake images and videos containing misinformation, phony claims, and even bogus explicit images that are used for blackmail.
- Fake news promoting fraudulent products.
- Chatbots operating via robocalls that make victims think they're talking to a real person, a customer service rep for example.
- Stock market manipulation through the spread of false information.
- Identity theft via counterfeit documents designed to steal confidential information and signatures.
- Online dating, again using chatbots and fake profiles.
Scammers are even exploiting public interest in artificial intelligence, using social media to set up fake profiles and chat forums, and to advertise phony download links to some of the most popular AI apps, including ChatGPT. (In fact, ChatGPT works in a computer browser; there is no desktop download.)
A new blog report from security firm Check Point says cybercriminals are using Facebook pretending to be AI service providers like ChatGPT, Google Bard, Midjourney, and Jasper. They use links that upload password stealing malware onto their PCs.
"Users often have no idea that these are scams. In fact, they are passionately discussing the role of AI in the comments and liking/sharing the posts, which spreads their reach even further," Check Point says.
Protecting Yourself Against AI Scams
With regard to AI voice scams, McAfee chief technology officer Steve Grobman says that if a person receives a distress call, first and foremost they should do everything they can to try to contact the supposed person.
Then: "Ask a question that only the person on the other end of the line should know the answer to. (Like) 'Well, can you remind me what the last movie we saw or what did we have for dinner when we ate together last?'"
Importantly, the report says, don't let your emotions take over; don't panic.
The other important step is to be cautious about your "digital footprint" - personal information and voice messages that you post that often provide with all the information they need to convince their victims.
Here are 5 further steps you can take to avoid other types of AI scams:
- No matter how convincing, never flatly accept emails and messages that seem to come from someone you know, government organizations, or big online brand names.
- So, don't click on links or attachments until you confirm they're genuine. Find the genuine site for an AI app and work from there.
- Only download software from reputable sites. Check Point warns: "Facebook groups are not the source from which to download software to your computer. Go directly to a trusted source, use its official webpage. Do not click on downloads coming from groups, unofficial forums etc."
- Don't believe ads and posts that offer rewards, typically a user credit of $50, for downloading supposed AI apps or joining chat groups.
- Educate yourself! Keep up to date with AI developments and scam reports from the likes of Scambusters. For starters, you can download the extensive McAfee report we mentioned above from.
AI is a controversial topic in terms of both the good and potentially bad things it can do to our everyday lives. Its use is likely to soar in the coming months - and so will the scams that use it.
As always, employ up to date Internet security software. And, if you find you have fallen victim to an artificial intelligence scam, take action immediately to protect your finances, freeze your credit (via the big credit reporting agencies), tell your bank and card providers - and change passwords.
This Week's Alert
Flight problems: We read every day about flights from US airports that are being delayed or cancelled, prompting travelers to try to rearrange their journey. The normal route is via customer service - but beware of imposters showing up high on Google when you search for the airline name.
Scammers posing as airline reps say they can reroute you for a fee - up to five times higher than the original. And, of course, you have to provide your credit card. Make sure you always have the correct phone numbers and web addresses of the airlines you're using and contact them directly.
Time to conclude for today -- have a great week!