‘Create a safe word’ to avoid bank-emptying AI phone call on your iPhone or Android, experts warn

SMARTPHONE owners have been warned about a new wave of scam calls that use artificial intelligence to mimic familiar voices.

According to a recent blog post by Keeper Security, cybercriminals are now using AI to scam victims into revealing personal information.

This clone technology, known as deepfakes, works by replicating the voices of friends, family, and even customer service representatives.

HOW DO AI VOICE SCAMS WORK?

AI voice scams rely on a two-step process: voice cloning and social engineering.

First, scammers acquire a sample of the target’s loved one’s voice.

This can be done through various means, including recording a phone conversation, extracting audio from social media posts, or even synthesizing speech from text messages.

With the voice sample in hand, scammers use AI voice-cloning technology to create a near-perfect replica.

This is thanks to deepfake technology, which can analyze the voice’s pitch, cadence, and even emotional inflections.

Once the voice is cloned, the scammer initiates the social engineering attack.

They call the target and use the cloned voice to establish trust and rapport.

In some cases, the scammer might claim to be a family member in a poor financial situation and need money for an emergency.

In grandparent deepfake scams, the bad actors even pretend to be a grandchild facing arrest and say they need money for bail.

They may use details gleaned from social media profiles or prior conversations to make their impersonation even more believable.

HOW TO STAY SAFE

While AI voice scams present a sophisticated threat, there are steps you can take to safeguard yourself.

The first thing you can do is be wary of unexpected calls as scammers often exploit the element of surprise.

If you receive a call from an unknown number or a familiar number with an unusual story, proceed with caution.

You should not assume a call is legitimate just because the voice sounds like someone you know.

Furthermore, if you receive a call from someone claiming to be from a company or organization, hang up and call them back at a number you know is legitimate.

Don’t rely on the caller ID, as scammers can spoof phone numbers.

Creating a safe word with family and friends can also be beneficial, Keeper Security noted.

Establishing a secret code or phrase with your loved ones can be used to verify each other’s identities during suspicious calls.

If someone claiming to be a family member or friend is unable to provide the safe word, it’s a sign that something is wrong.

Many phone service providers also offer call-blocking features that can help you block unwanted calls.

Moreover, scammers can sometimes gather voice samples from social media posts so be mindful of what you share online.