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Police department in Wisconsin warns residents about voice cloning scam
Residents of southern Wisconsin are being warned about a new type of scam in which criminals clone the voice of a relative in an attempt to appear legitimate. The Beloit Police Department recently received a report from a resident who provided money to someone who “sounded like their relative.” While it is not yet clear if the scam used artificial intelligence technology, the police said that “we want our community to be aware that this technology is out there.”
AI scams, such as voice cloning, have become more common recently. The Senate Special Committee on Aging recently sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission, requesting information on the agency’s efforts to protect older Americans from such scams.
How the scam works
These scams can be easier to pull off than one would expect. All scammers need is a short audio clip of your loved one’s voice and a voice-cloning program. Often, scam victims may receive calls from people claiming to be relatives who have been kidnapped, landed in jail, or involved in an accident and are in desperate need of money.
How to protect yourself from AI scams
If you suspect a call is not actually from your relative, but rather a scammer who has cloned their voice, call the person who supposedly contacted you and verify the story using a phone number you know is theirs. If you can’t reach your loved one, try to contact them through another relative or friend.
Scammers often ask for victims to wire money, send cryptocurrency, or buy gift cards and give them the card numbers and PINs. If any of these requests are made, you might be involved in a scam. To help prevent AI scams, you can check your privacy settings on social media accounts and double-check which information you publicize on those accounts.
Conclusion
The Beloit Police Department is warning residents to be aware of the possibility of voice-cloning scams. Although the technology to clone voices using artificial intelligence is out there, by following the suggested preventive measures and verifying any requests for money, you can protect yourself from falling victim to these scams.
FAQs
What is voice cloning?
Voice cloning is the process of copying the voice of an individual to create a new recording that resembles the original voice. It can be done using artificial intelligence technology that can learn the nuances of someone’s voice to create a convincing replica.
How do I know if I’m being targeted by a voice-cloning scam?
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a relative who needs money urgently, but something seems off or suspicious, it could be a voice-cloning scam. Verify the story by calling the person who supposedly contacted you using a phone number you know is theirs. If you can’t reach your loved one, try to contact them through another relative or friend. If any requests for money, wiring money, or purchasing gift cards are made, it could be a sign of a scam.
How do I prevent myself from falling victim to voice-cloning scams?
Protect yourself by being cautious of sharing personal information on social media accounts and keeping your privacy settings in check. Verify requests for money from friends or relatives by calling them directly on a phone number you know is theirs. And if something seems off, trust your instincts and don’t make any payments or send money until you’ve confirmed the legitimacy of the request with the person directly.
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