AI voicemail scams on the rise: What you need to know

A new wave of scams is using artificial intelligence to create realistic-sounding voicemails designed to steal personal information and money.

AI voice scams on the rise

What we know:

Scammers have begun using incredibly realistic-sounding AI-generated voices in voicemails to conduct schemes like offering fake loan approvals or tax forgiveness.

The FBI estimates that $12%B is lost annually to cyber scams, and that the new method is adding to the growing problem. 

Unlike traditional phone scams that often had tell-tale signs like accents or poor grammar, AI has enabled scammers to produce polished, convincing messages that are harder to identify as fake.

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And while these scams are still in their early stages, they could become more widespread if they prove effective.

What they're saying:

Cybersecurity expert Justin Cappos from NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering says that the use of AI is lowering the cost of creating these scams and increasing their effectiveness.

"Scammers are getting better at using AI tools and things like this to produce realistic-sounding things, things that seem quite, quite good," Cappos said. "Cybercriminals tend to use things that are cost-effectie and provide them with good revenue."

How to protect yourself

What's next:

Experts advise taking precautions to avoid falling victim to these scams:

  • Be cautious about sharing your phone number. If someone asks for it and doesn’t need it, don’t give it out.
  • If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and independently verify the caller’s identity by contacting the company directly through their official customer service number.
  • Avoid answering calls from unfamiliar numbers. If it’s important, they’ll leave a message.

The Source: This article was written using information from 

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