Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the way we interact with technology. However, with every new technology comes new threats. The latest threat comes in the form of voice cloning, where a few seconds of audio can be used to clone someone’s voice with new AI software. This technology has become a tool for scammers, and it is putting families at risk.
The Federal Trade Commission recently issued a warning that voice cloning technology is making family emergency scams more convincing. Just last month, several Oregon school districts warned parents about a spate of fake kidnapping calls. A recent global survey shows one in four people have experienced an AI voice cloning scam or know someone who has.
Jennifer DeStefano, a mother from Pennsylvania, shared her experience with a voice cloning scam. She received a phone call from an unknown number, and a person on the other end of the line claimed to have kidnapped her 15-year-old daughter. The scammer threatened to harm her daughter unless Jennifer sent $1 million. The scammer had used voice cloning technology to make the voice on the phone sound like Jennifer’s daughter. Jennifer was convinced it was her daughter, as the scammer mimicked every aspect of her daughter’s voice perfectly.
This is not an isolated incident. Voice cloning programs are as cheap as $5 a month, and scammers can use social media videos to clone anyone’s voice and make it say whatever they want. Wasim Khalid, co-founder of Black Bird AI, says that generative AI is going to be the catalyst to drive disinformation, misinformation, and warped realities further and faster than we’ve ever seen before.
With AI, what you see and hear may not always be what you get. So, how can you protect yourself from voice cloning scams? The first step is to authenticate the person by having them confirm information only you two would know. Have a private safe word for your family, and have someone else call your loved one’s actual phone number. Taking these extra steps can help you verify the identity of anyone who calls or messages you.
Companies are also at risk of voice cloning scams. Aim from Black Bird AI says that employees are getting a call from who they think is their boss, asking them to make a wire transfer or authenticate a payment. Companies are now having to re-verify their employees’ identities before authorizing payments.
As AI continues to evolve, it is essential to remain vigilant and take the necessary steps to protect yourself and your loved ones from voice cloning scams. It is up to us to take the extra steps to verify the identity of anyone who calls or messages us. The future is coming, and soon, scammers will start using videos to chat with their victims. It’s important to stay aware and remain cautious, as AI continues to change the way we interact with technology.