Your bank wants your voice. Just say no.

July 23, 2024

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You already gave the bank your address, date of birth, social security number, and mother’s maiden name. Now the bank Your voice.

Banks claim it’s an extra layer of biometric protection against fraud and cybercrime, but with hackers increasingly stealing voice data for deepfakes, is it worth the risk?

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It’s Not Over! What to Do After a Data Breach

Identity Arms Race

No matter how much money you have in the bank, hackers and scammers are after it – and they’re always one step ahead.

If you’re skeptical about your bank recording your voice data, that’s normal. SmartWith just 10 seconds of audio and a few dollars, you can use AI to replicate your voice.

Asking your bank not to use voice authentication is a simple way to protect yourself from potential AI cloning scams. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Call your bank’s customer service line Request to opt out of voice authenticationIt will take 2 minutes, if you can do it now, great, but if not, I highly recommend setting a reminder to do it later. This is important.

Pro Tip: Scammers have been known to put fake numbers in search results, so don’t just Google your bank’s name and call the number. Go to the bank’s website directly or call the number on the back of your debit or credit card.

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Going a step further

You’re smart: you use strong, unique passwords, enable 2FA, avoid public Wi-Fi, and constantly monitor your accounts (more info below if you need help).

Other banking authentication features that don’t require voice and are more secure are also available and easily accessible. (Photo by Robert Alexander/Getty Images)

However, it may be worth giving them a call or popping into your local bank branch and asking if they offer any additional security features. Popular options include:

Secure Key: This physical or digital device generates a one-time passcode, usually valid for only 30 seconds, to make online banking more secure.

Bank Alerts: Set up text or email notifications for real-time account activity, like large transactions or account changes. Having to approve every charge can be a bit of a hassle, but it protects you from fraud and fake charges.

Account lockout feature: Many banks offer the option to automatically lock your account after a certain number of failed online login attempts.

Advanced Access: This adds an extra verification step to the security of certain activities. For example, Morgan Stanley requires a one-time passcode when logging in at a new location.

Do you own a home? Are you shopping or selling? You’re a target for scams

Improve your banking security

You may need to get the basics right first. That’s okay, and it’s absolutely It’s not too late to take some smart steps.

Turning on two-factor authentication ensures that only you can access your account.

Enabling 2FA means that in addition to entering your username and password to log into your account, you will need a second form of verification to prove your identity.

The second method of authentication can be something only you know (an answer to a question), something you have (a device), or something you know (a fingerprint, voice pattern, or face scan). Once you enter the temporary code, you’re logged in.

My choice: Authentication app. Biometric authentication (face or fingerprint scanning) is a close second, and text codes are the most likely to be hacked.

Only log on to your bank from trusted networks.

Take the Wi-Fi at a coffee shop for example. Public Wi-Fi networks offer little to no privacy protection. Cybercriminals know this, and they use free Wi-Fi networks to find victims. Malware, fake hotspots, unsecured networks, and malicious passersby can sneak in, putting your data and accounts at risk.

If you connect to public Wi-Fi without taking precautions, your login credentials for every account you sign in to on the network, including your bank account, are vulnerable to theft.

If you connect to public Wi-Fi, don’t do so without using a VPN. (Photo Credit: Saqib Majeed/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

If you must connect to free public Wi-Fi, don’t do it without using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN lets you browse the internet while encrypting your sensitive information, hiding your online credentials and IP address.

I use Express VPNThey sponsor my national radio show.

So please help spread the word. Share this story to help keep your friends and family safe before the tsunami of voice cloning scams hits. They’re coming soon.

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