You’ve heard the stories… A CEO was scammed out of $233,000 because someone copied the voice of his boss at the parent company. A 75-year-old woman nearly lost $27,500 because she thought her grandson was in trouble.
For just $4, anyone can copy their voice using super cheap and super powerful AI software. To help you avoid being fooled, we’ve got the inside scoop on the tricks scammers use.
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Your car is a target. Don’t let it be hacked or tricked.
Top 10 Tactics
In an age where we broadcast our lives (and voices) to the world through TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, YouTube, and more, scammers are running wild.
They are extracting voice samples and feeding them into AI machines to create chillingly accurate voice clones, setting the stage for a scam that is as emotionally cruel as it is sophisticated.
Pro Tip: Unless you’re trying to make it as an influencer or are a public figure in some way, set your social media profiles to private – public accounts give away too much information.
If possible, setting your social media profiles to private is an easy way to thwart scammers trying to get your personal information. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Children’s summer camp upset: There is a gas leak and we need to evacuate immediately. The camp counselors want you to cover your child’s hotel and bus costs.
Charity Request: A voice you’ve heard on TV youWe are looking for cash to help victims. What is your credit card number?
Neighbor needs help: She’s crying that your dog got hit by a car and she had to take him to the vet, and now you’re going to pay the bill, right?
How to get cheap stuff (for storage or resale)
Auto Parts Emergencies: Your trusted mechanic gives you bad news: “Don’t drive your car. There’s a major recall and you need to buy parts.” now!
Urgent Expenses: My boss called me from an unknown number. He is in a business meeting and needs me to send him some money urgently to cover some unexpected expenses. Can you help me right away?
Medical EmergenciesA relative’s voice desperately tells you that they’ve been in a serious accident and need money immediately to pay hospital bills before they can receive treatment.
There are thousands of potential voice scams that can be used to target you. (Photo by Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Trapped in prison: Your child has been arrested and needs bail immediately, and you’ve been instructed to wire money to a specific account before things get any worse.
Utility shutoffThe power company representative, speaking in exactly the same tone as the person you spoke to before, says they will cut off your power unless you make a request. immediately payment.
School fundraiser: Your child’s school principal called you and is asking you to make a donation to support their new project. All we need to process your donation is your credit card information.
Travel Trouble: A close friend called me from vacation saying she lost her wallet and was in trouble. Could you send me some money to cover the cost of a hotel and a flight home?
These are just a few examples. Thousands More details on where these came from.
Checking the caller ID is one of the few ways to tell if a call you receive is from a scammer. (iStock)
Your Action Plan
Before you consider selling your family silverware or emptying your savings account, let’s talk strategy. You need to know about this now. in front Something terrible might happen, so be prepared.
- Check your caller ID: If you get a call from a number you don’t recognize, or even worse, a blocked or withheld number, that’s a big red flag. Even if the person on the other end sounds like your child or your mother, hang up and dial their cell phone.
- Check out the video: In high-profile scams involving businesses, fraudsters are also using AI video, but most low-budget scams don’t go that far.
- Buying time: If the caller says they’ve been in an accident, are held up, or are in distress, tell them you’ll help but that you’d like to see them first. Immediately contact them by other means or anyone who may know their location.
- Money talks: Someone is asking for a wire transfer or Bitcoin Paymentsyour fraud alarms should go off. Genuine emergencies don’t come with specific, suspicious demands for payment.
Police are warning homeowners about “out-of-town” scammers trying to buy, sell or rent vacation homes they don’t own.
Every day, people fall prey to these scams. Share this story to show your support for those around you. You could save someone’s financial future.
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