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Scammers can now use new AI technologies to impersonate the voice of your loved ones and scam you out of money.
Voice cloning scams are becoming increasingly common, leaving many people vulnerable to this type of fraud.
It’s important to remain alert and know how to spot these scams in order to protect yourself from falling victim.
Read on for more information and tips on how to protect yourself from this type of fraud!
What Are Voice Clone Scams?
Voice clone scams involve scammers using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to perfectly imitate the voice of someone you love and trust.
The scammer will call, claiming to be your relative in distress and asking for money.
It’s often hard to tell that it isn’t actually them calling because their voice is so realistic.
The scammers can now clone a voice from a short sample using AI Software Tools. They may get a voice sample from your loved one’s youtube channel, podcast, or any other voice recording.
In some cases, the scammers may even have access to information about personal conversations you’ve had with your loved one that they use to make the scam more convincing.
They may even spoof the phone number of your loved one, further convincing you that you are actually speaking to someone you know.
An Example of a Voice Clone Scam
The Washington Post recently reported on a voice clone scam that targeted the elderly parents of Benjamin Perkin.
Perkin’s parents were horrified to receive a call from someone claiming to be an attorney, who claimed their son had been involved in a deadly car accident with a U.S. diplomat. The attorney told his parents he was now imprisoned, needing money for legal fees.
The fake “lawyer” put Perkin on the phone. He said he loved them, appreciated them, and needed the money.
Shortly after, the fake lawyer contacted Perkin’s parents again and said their son required $15,449 for a court hearing later in the day.
The call struck Perkin’s parents as unusual, but they were convinced that they had really talked to their son earlier.
So, they withdrew the cash from several banks and sent the money to the fake lawyer through a bitcoin terminal.
That night, their real son called to say hello. They were confused at first. But they figured out they had just been scammed.
Perkin says, “The money’s gone. There’s no insurance. There’s no getting it back. It’s gone.”
How Can You Avoid Becoming a Victim?
The best way to protect yourself from becoming a victim of a voice cloning scam is to be aware of the red flags associated with this type of fraud and take the necessary steps to protect yourself.
Here are some of the key warning signs that you should look out for:
• Requests for Money: If a loved one suddenly contacts you asking for money, be suspicious. Scammers often use personal details about your relationship to gain your trust and make their requests seem more legitimate.
• Unusual Contact Methods: Voice cloning scammers might call from a number that isn’t familiar or contact you through text messages or social media accounts instead of calling.
• Asking You To Keep It A Secret: Another common sign of a scam is if they ask you to keep the request for money a secret from other family members or friends. This request is an indication that they are not who they claim to be.
• Unusual Forms Of Payment: Scammers may also ask you to pay them via a gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. These are all forms of payment that allow the scammer to remain anonymous, making it harder for law enforcement to track them down.
What to Do If You Get a Voice Clone Scam Call?
If you receive a voice clone scam call, do not respond to the caller or send any money. Hang up the phone immediately and contact your local police department to report the incident.
Also, be sure to check in with your loved one or friend, whoever was impersonated, to make sure that it wasn’t actually them calling.
By being aware of this type of fraud and taking steps to protect yourself from falling victim, you can help prevent yourself from becoming someone else’s next victim of a voice clone scam.
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