AI Voice Fraud: A New Threat to Privacy
With the rapid development of artificial intelligence technologies, new threats have emerged that exceed expectations, most notably voice fraud, which relies on artificial intelligence models to imitate human voices in a very accurate way. This type of fraud gives fraudsters advanced tools to carry out phone fraud operations that easily deceive victims, raising increasing concerns about the theft of personal data and sensitive information.
AI voice fraud shares similarities with traditional fraud methods, where scammers pretend to be trusted people such as family members or well-known figures. The main goal is to gain the victim’s trust and get them to reveal sensitive information or transfer money.
Modern fraud techniques use sophisticated software to make fraudulent calls with high efficiency, targeting large numbers of people in a short time and at a low cost. A common tactic used by fraudsters is to imitate the voice of a family member and ask for money under the pretext of an emergency.
To carry out these operations, scammers only need a voice sample, usually taken from clips posted on the Internet. The sample is analyzed using artificial intelligence techniques, and later cloned for use in spoofed calls.
According to a survey by Starling Digital Bank, 28% of UK adults have experienced AI voice scams. However, only 30% of them said they were able to spot these scam calls, reflecting the significant challenges many people face in recognising these scams.
To avoid falling victim to these methods, preventive measures can be taken, including:
Use secret phrases: Set up special phrases among family members to verify the identity of the caller.
Asking accurate questions: Verifying the caller with questions based on information that only the real person would know.
Note vocal details: Pay attention to the tone of voice and any abnormal signs such as errors in pronunciation.
Direct Verification: End the suspicious call and call the person directly via their registered number.
Avoid emotional pressure: Beware of quick responses and do not provide any information or transfer money before confirming.
Being aware of these threats and taking appropriate precautions can protect you from falling victim to these operations that exploit technology to achieve fraudulent goals.