How to check if you’re a victim of an AI voice clone scam. The questions that can save your bank account

A new fad for phone fraud is the use of an AI-generated voice clone that poses as a known person. The purpose of such a scam is to empty your bank accounts.

What can save us in such a situation? Asking the right questions, notes The Sun.

New sinister scams use AI to reproduce the voices of friends, family members or co-workers. Important to note, AI can clone a voice after only hearing it for a few seconds.

And cyber security experts have warned that criminals are using it to trick victims into transferring money to them – making “urgent” requests while pretending to be people they know.

If someone you love calls you in a panic, it’s very likely that you want to offer them help. Cybersecurity expert Curtis Wilson of Synopsys Software Integrity Group revealed that it’s important to ask the right question first.

“Being aware of this possibility is half the battle. Pay attention to what they say and try to ask for details.
If your child says they are with a friend, ask which friend. If a colleague talks about the “big project”, get them to confirm the client, etc. Usually these scammers will call from unknown numbers and claim to have lost their phone. So try calling the correct number or contact them in a different way to confirm”he said.

Take some time to think before you act

Any time someone calls you with an urgent request, it can be worrying. This is especially true if a loved one claims to be in a crisis or the boss calls you with a serious request. But the most important thing is not to rush into making a decision.

Take the time to check any requests for money, even if they appear to be from someone you know and trust.

“The first and most important thing to do is not to icome in in a panic,” cyber security expert Simon Newman told The US Sun.

“Cybercriminals are very good at getting victims to act quickly and often exploit situations where there is an imminent risk of harm”continued Simon, head of the London-based Cyber ​​Resilience Center and member of the Cyber ​​Expo International Advisory Board.

The situations presented can be a kidnapping or an urgent need for money to get out of trouble.

“Try to verify the identity of the caller by asking lots of very specific questions that only the real person would know. Also try contacting the person at the number they normally use”added the specialist.

The safe word

There is also a way to protect yourself from this type of scam ahead of time. Set a “safe word” with people you talk to frequently on the phone, your closest friends, family members and colleagues.

“If the person on the other end of the line does not answer correct, chances are you’re talking to an AI-generated voice. The cybersecurity industry is working hard to make detection and blocking easier
false identitiesbut taking a cautious approach remain YET the best strategy”concluded Simon Newman

Also, be wary if the caller asks for money through a strange method, such as cryptocurrencies or gift cards – this is a major signal that you may be falling victim to a scam.