How to defend yourself against AI voice call scams

Imagine receiving a panicked call from someone claiming to be your son. They say they're in trouble, having wrecked a car and landed in jail. They urgently ask for your help and money. But wait, you've heard of these scams before right? This time, though, the voice sounds just like your son. How is this possible?

It's voice cloning, a technology powered by AI. Scammers can clone the voice of your loved one with astonishing accuracy using a short audio clip of their voice, easily obtained from online content. When the scammer contacts you, their voice will sound exactly like your grandson.So how can you tell if it's a genuine emergency or a scammer using voice cloning? Here's what you can do:

First, don't solely rely on the voice. Reach out to the person who supposedly called you using a known phone number. Verify the story directly with them. If you can't reach your loved one, contact another family member or their friends to confirm.

Second, be cautious about the payment methods scammers suggest. They often insist on untraceable options. If they ask you to wire money, provide the card numbers and PINs, it's likely a scam.

In this AI era, scammers are getting craftier. Stay vigilant, verify information, and trust your instincts. By doing so, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from falling victim to voice-cloning scams.