Please take a few moments to read this important information from the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education Security Awareness Team.
Artificial Intelligence: Raising the Stakes in Scams
Scams have unfortunately been going on for hundreds of years. Lately however, the emergence of artificial intelligence has taken the scam to a whole new level. To spot scams that utilize artificial intelligence (AI), watch for red flags like: seemingly realistic but unexpected video or voice recordings where someone appears to be someone they're not (deepfakes), unusual requests for sensitive information, urgent pressure to act immediately, strange phrasing or unnatural language, and contact from someone you wouldn't normally expect, especially if they are asking for money or personal details.
Gareth Shelwell writes a compelling blog post that demonstrates some of the up-shift in believability of several current scam techniques. Definitely worth a read.
Here are some key AI scam tactics to watch out for:
Deepfakes: Manipulated videos or audio where someone's face or voice is replaced with another person's to impersonate them, often used to make it seem like a celebrity or authority figure is endorsing a product or making a certain claim.
Voice cloning: Using AI to replicate a person's voice to make phone calls or send messages pretending to be someone they know, like a family member or bank representative.
AI-generated phishing emails: Emails that appear to be from a legitimate source but are actually crafted using AI to make them look more convincing, often with personalized details to trick the recipient.
AI-powered chatbots: Chatbots designed to imitate human conversation to engage users in scams or gather personal information.
How to protect yourself:
Be skeptical: Don't trust anything you see or hear online without verifying the source, especially if it seems too good to be true.
Check for inconsistencies: Look for small details that might not align with the person they are claiming to be, like odd wording or unusual requests.
Verify information: Before sharing personal details or sending money, try to contact the person through a known channel to confirm their identity.
Be cautious with links and attachments: Don't click on links or open attachments from unknown senders, even if they look legitimate.
Report suspicious activity: If you suspect an AI scam, report it to the relevant authorities and the platform where you encountered it.
Video: AI scammers creating fake videos
Scammers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to create convincing fake videos, but Heather Sullivan (FOX 26 Houston) has some smart tips to help you protect yourself from falling victim. Click here to watch.