Current:Home > InvestScammers use AI to mimic voices of loved ones in distress-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Scammers use AI to mimic voices of loved ones in distress
View Date:2024-12-23 20:14:06
Artificial intelligence is making phone scams more sophisticated — and more believable. Scam artists are now using the technology to clone voices, including those of friends and family.
The disturbing trend is adding to mounting losses due to fraud. Americans lost nearly $9 billion to fraud last year alone – an increase of over 150% in just two years, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
The AI scam, which uses computer-generated voice, has left a trail of emotional devastation. Jennifer DeStefano, a mother, recounted during a U.S. Senate meeting her terrifying encounter with scammers who used the voice of her 15-year-old daughter, claiming they had her.
"Mom, these bad men have me. Help me, help me, help me," DeStefano said she was told over the phone.
But her daughter was safe in her bed.
Kathy Stokes, the AARP director of fraud prevention, said younger people actually experience fraud and financial loss more often than older people, but it's the older generation who often have so much to lose.
Pete Nicoletti, a cyber security expert at Check Point Software Technologies, said common software can recreate a person's voice after just 10 minutes of learning it.
To protect against voice cloning scams, Nicoletti recommends families adopt a "code word" system and always call a person back to verify the authenticity of the call. Additionally, he advises setting social media accounts to private, as publicly available information can be easily used against individuals.
- In:
- AI
veryGood! (22711)
Related
- Nearly 80,000 pounds of Costco butter recalled for missing 'Contains Milk statement': FDA
- Taylor Swift's 'Eras Tour' movie will stream on Disney+ with an extended setlist
- Snoop Dogg sues Walmart and Post, claiming they sabotaged cereal brands
- Cargo train locomotive derails in Colorado, spilling 100s of gallons of diesel
- Bridgerton's Luke Newton Details His Physical Transformation for Season 3's Leading Role
- As long school funding lawsuit ends in Kansas, some fear lawmakers will backslide on education goals
- Henry Cavill says he's 'not a fan' of sex scenes: 'They're overused these days'
- Alyssa Milano's GoFundMe post made people furious. Was the anger misplaced?
- Love Actually Secrets That Will Be Perfect to You
- Chiefs' receivers pushed past brutal errors to help guide Super Bowl return
Ranking
- Bill on school bathroom use by transgender students clears Ohio Legislature, heads to governor
- Ohio State, LSU headline the winners and losers from college football signing day
- From Uber Eats’ ‘Friends’ reunion to Bud’s Clydesdales, here are the buzziest Super Bowl ads so far
- Survey of over 90,000 trans people shows vast improvement in life satisfaction after transition
- NBA today: Injuries pile up, Mavericks are on a skid, Nuggets return to form
- Big Bang Theory's Johnny Galecki Shares He Privately Got Married and Welcomed Baby Girl
- Half of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders want more US support of Palestinians, a poll shows
- Travis Kelce's mom doesn't think they'll splurge on 'multi-million dollar' Super Bowl suite
Recommendation
-
Asian sesame salad sold in Wegmans supermarkets recalled over egg allergy warning
-
The Georgia House has approved a $5 billion boost to the state budget
-
U.S. kills senior leader of Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah in strike in Iraq, says senior U.S. official
-
Google’s Gemini AI app to land on phones, making it easier for people to connect to a digital brain
-
Jon Gruden joins Barstool Sports three years after email scandal with NFL
-
Taylor Swift's Tortured Poets Department Confession Proves She's a True Mastermind
-
Republican Rosendale to enter Montana U.S. Senate race, upending GOP bid to take seat from Democrat
-
Judge dismisses lawsuit challenging name change for California’s former Hastings law school