AI-Powered Scams: Emerging Threats and How to Protect Yourself!

Frightened of being scammed by AI? Here are some tips to help you defend yourself!

Voice Cloning and Its Dangers

Advancements in AI technology have made voice cloning more accessible, allowing scammers to create convincing fake voices from just a few seconds of audio. This can lead to fraudulent calls where a scammer poses as a loved one in distress, asking for money or help. To protect yourself, be cautious of messages from unknown numbers and verify the identity of the caller through other means before taking action.

Personalized Phishing and Email Scams

AI is enhancing the effectiveness of phishing and spam emails by personalising them with details gleaned from data breaches. These emails may appear more legitimate by using your name, recent purchases, or locations. Despite their improved appearance, the best defence remains vigilance: avoid clicking on links or attachments from unverified sources and consult with knowledgeable individuals if you are unsure about the authenticity of an email.

Deepfakes and Identity Fraud

Generative AI can also create realistic deepfake images, which can be used for blackmail without the need for actual intimate photos. These fake images can be convincing enough to scare victims into paying to keep them secret. While the threat is growing, victims have legal recourse to have such images removed and should report incidents to the authorities for support and potential resolution.

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*An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story.