Troubled Loved Ones ‘Talk’ To You On The Phone In Chilling New AI Scam

Image generated on AI

Don’t you miss the days of speaking to a familiar voice on the phone and feeling safe? And by safe, we mean that you’re absolutely sure they’re not an AI impersonation? Well, a new con where scammers are using artificial intelligence to mimic the voices of loved ones is on the rise, tricking victims into believing their friends or family are in trouble.

These sophisticated ruses typically involve a fake emergency, such as an accident or arrest, where the scammer, using a voice that sounds eerily like someone you trust, claims they need immediate financial help.

With generative AI tools, bad actors can recreate the voices of real people using short clips collected from their social media or voicemails. These audio samples are then fed to software to replicate speech patterns accurately.

Image generated on AI

The scam relies on the shock and urgency of the incident to make victims act impulsively. In some instances, these calls can depict a life-or-death situation, such as the one faced by Robin, a Brooklyn-based interior designer.

As recounted by the New Yorker, Robin experienced the shock of her life when she received a distressing call late one night, seemingly from her mother-in-law, who could be heard crying, “I can’t do it, I can’t do it.” The call was followed by a man’s voice claiming he had taken the woman hostage, demanding a ransom through Venmo for her release.

Since this was clearly the voice of someone close to them, and she genuinely seemed to be in danger, Robin and her husband, Steve, a law enforcement officer, ended up sending money, only to later find out the woman was safe and unaware of the so-called emergency. 

Remarkably, the scammer had asked for a rather modest sum for the fake victim’s life, initially $500, followed by an additional $250.

“Seven hundred and fifty dollars,” Robin’s mother-in-law said. “I still can’t believe that’s all I was worth.”

The report shares other chilling accounts like this one, suggesting that frauds based on synthetic voices are becoming more and more convincing.

To guard against such high-tech deceptions, it’s crucial to maintain a healthy skepticism towards distress calls, even those that appear to come from familiar voices. Here are some ways to protect yourself:

Be Cautious

If you receive a call from a loved one in distress, especially if it sounds off, hang up and try contacting them directly through a known phone number.

Verification Code

Consider a pre-arranged code word or phrase with friends and family that only they would know to confirm their identity during an unusual phone call.

Don’t Share Personal Details

Never give out personal information or financial details over the phone unless you’re absolutely certain who you're speaking to.

Report Suspicious Calls

If you suspect a scam call, report it to the authorities.

As technology advances, so too do the tactics of those looking to exploit it for malicious purposes. By staying informed and vigilant, you can prevent yourself and your loved ones from becoming the next targets of these unnervingly realistic AI scams.

[via The New Yorker and CBS News, cover image generated on AI]