Discover how a TV reporter duped her colleague using cutting-edge AI voice technology

The world of technology never ceases to amaze—and not always in a good way! Brace yourself because this might sound more like an episode of a sci-fi film than real-life news.

Scammers are now using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to mimic voices and 'spoof' phone numbers to trick unwitting victims. Let's dive into the details, shall we?



60 Minutes reporter Amelia Adams, in collaboration with cybersecurity firm CyberCx, recently showcased how worrying this trend could be.

Spoofing, a process whereby scammers can impersonate a trusted phone number such as a bank or government body, has been around for a while.

But when you thought thieves couldn't stoop any lower, they've upped the ante, incorporating AI into their underhand schemes. Using refined AI technology, these scam artists can now imitate the exact voices of people you know!


Screen Shot 2023-07-03 at 10.30.47 AM.png
Scammers have become increasingly sophisticated in their tactics, using the power of AI to mimic voices and imitate trusted phone numbers. Credit: Pexels/Cottonbro studio.



As demonstrated by reporter Amelia Adams, they're using your trust in familiar voices to extract valuable personal information.

Under the guidance of CyberCx's director, Jason Edelstein, an AI version of Amelia's voice was artificially created and used in a phone call to con her colleague, Dan, out of his passport number.

Alarmingly, deceived by the familiar voice, Dan fell into the trap. The chilling reality is it could have been any one of us.



You might think these high-tech hijinks would be limited to small sums, but that's sadly not the case. Take as an example the ordeal endured by Melbourne businessman Tim Watkins. Convinced by a scammer's pitch that replicated his bank's phone number and a believable story, Watkins lost a whopping $220,000. This incident is a stark reminder of the devastating losses these scams can inflict.

'On returning home, I logged into NAB online to find out that a significant six-figure sum had been taken, wiping out my business and personal bank accounts,' Mr Watkins told a news outlet after he was scammed.

'(I was) surprised that they (NAB) did not seem to have any protocol in place to deal with the cyber scam nor to help me in what was a very traumatic time.'



So, the million-dollar question—or the $220,000 one, in Tim's case—is: how can we protect ourselves against these sophisticated ploys? Luckily, there are several strategies we can use to fight back against this wave of cyber deception.

First and foremost, always maintain scepticism when receiving unsolicited phone calls or messages asking for sensitive information. Regardless of how familiar the voice might sound or how trustworthy the number might seem, remember that banks and government bodies will never call to request your personal details or confidential security codes over the phone.

Please take note of this important rule: When in doubt, hang up the phone! Do not let yourself be intimidated by the urgency or importance that the voice on the other end may try to convey. Be cautious and alert if you are asked to provide any banking details.

Remember, even sharing partial information can be risky and potentially dangerous!



So, what if you fall victim to one of these scams? Don't panic. Immediately get in touch with your bank and report the incident to the ACCC's Scamwatch to help others from falling into the same trap.

Chris Sheehan, NAB Executive for Group Investigations and Fraud, stresses the importance of fast action, 'These criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated and operate with speed to move stolen funds.'

'Unfortunately, once the funds have left an account and are sent to another bank, it is extremely hard for us to retrieve them,' they added.

Hard-earned money belongs in our bank accounts, not in the pockets of tech-savvy thieves. To combat these scams, arm yourself and your loved ones with the most effective weapon—information.

Key Takeaways

  • Scammers are using artificially intelligent technology to imitate trusted voices and phone numbers in order to deceive Australians.
  • A 60 Minutes reporter has demonstrated how easy it is to fall for this type of scam by using a cybersecurity firm to 'scam' her colleague using AI and 'spoofing'.
  • Melbourne businessman, Tim Watkins, shared his story of losing over $220,000 to similar spoofing scams.
  • NAB Executive for Group Investigations and Fraud, Chris Sheehan, admitted that retrieving lost funds in these situations is extremely difficult, urging people to be cautious.

Remember, folks, technology can be a marvellous tool, but it can also be a formidable weapon in the wrong hands. Let's ensure we stay vigilant, well-informed and ready to protect what's ours.

We hope you found this article both informative and helpful. If you have any additional tips on protecting yourself against potential 'spoofing' scams and fraudulent calls, we would love to hear from you! Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
 
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The world of technology never ceases to amaze—and not always in a good way! Brace yourself because this might sound more like an episode of a sci-fi film than real-life news.

Scammers are now using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to mimic voices and 'spoof' phone numbers to trick unwitting victims. Let's dive into the details, shall we?



60 Minutes reporter Amelia Adams, in collaboration with cybersecurity firm CyberCx, recently showcased how worrying this trend could be.

Spoofing, a process whereby scammers can impersonate a trusted phone number such as a bank or government body, has been around for a while.

But when you thought thieves couldn't stoop any lower, they've upped the ante, incorporating AI into their underhand schemes. Using refined AI technology, these scam artists can now imitate the exact voices of people you know!


View attachment 23914
Scammers have become increasingly sophisticated in their tactics, using the power of AI to mimic voices and imitate trusted phone numbers. Credit: Pexels/Cottonbro studio.



As demonstrated by reporter Amelia Adams, they're using your trust in familiar voices to extract valuable personal information.

Under the guidance of CyberCx's director, Jason Edelstein, an AI version of Amelia's voice was artificially created and used in a phone call to con her colleague, Dan, out of his passport number.

Alarmingly, deceived by the familiar voice, Dan fell into the trap. The chilling reality is it could have been any one of us.



You might think these high-tech hijinks would be limited to small sums, but that's sadly not the case. Take as an example the ordeal endured by Melbourne businessman Tim Watkins. Convinced by a scammer's pitch that replicated his bank's phone number and a believable story, Watkins lost a whopping $220,000. This incident is a stark reminder of the devastating losses these scams can inflict.

'On returning home, I logged into NAB online to find out that a significant six-figure sum had been taken, wiping out my business and personal bank accounts,' Mr Watkins told a news outlet after he was scammed.

'(I was) surprised that they (NAB) did not seem to have any protocol in place to deal with the cyber scam nor to help me in what was a very traumatic time.'



So, the million-dollar question—or the $220,000 one, in Tim's case—is: how can we protect ourselves against these sophisticated ploys? Luckily, there are several strategies we can use to fight back against this wave of cyber deception.

First and foremost, always maintain scepticism when receiving unsolicited phone calls or messages asking for sensitive information. Regardless of how familiar the voice might sound or how trustworthy the number might seem, remember that banks and government bodies will never call to request your personal details or confidential security codes over the phone.

Please take note of this important rule: When in doubt, hang up the phone! Do not let yourself be intimidated by the urgency or importance that the voice on the other end may try to convey. Be cautious and alert if you are asked to provide any banking details.

Remember, even sharing partial information can be risky and potentially dangerous!



So, what if you fall victim to one of these scams? Don't panic. Immediately get in touch with your bank and report the incident to the ACCC's Scamwatch to help others from falling into the same trap.

Chris Sheehan, NAB Executive for Group Investigations and Fraud, stresses the importance of fast action, 'These criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated and operate with speed to move stolen funds.'

'Unfortunately, once the funds have left an account and are sent to another bank, it is extremely hard for us to retrieve them,' they added.

Hard-earned money belongs in our bank accounts, not in the pockets of tech-savvy thieves. To combat these scams, arm yourself and your loved ones with the most effective weapon—information.

Key Takeaways

  • Scammers are using artificially intelligent technology to imitate trusted voices and phone numbers in order to deceive Australians.
  • A 60 Minutes reporter has demonstrated how easy it is to fall for this type of scam by using a cybersecurity firm to 'scam' her colleague using AI and 'spoofing'.
  • Melbourne businessman, Tim Watkins, shared his story of losing over $220,000 to similar spoofing scams.
  • NAB Executive for Group Investigations and Fraud, Chris Sheehan, admitted that retrieving lost funds in these situations is extremely difficult, urging people to be cautious.

Remember, folks, technology can be a marvellous tool, but it can also be a formidable weapon in the wrong hands. Let's ensure we stay vigilant, well-informed and ready to protect what's ours.

We hope you found this article both informative and helpful. If you have any additional tips on protecting yourself against potential 'spoofing' scams and fraudulent calls, we would love to hear from you! Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
If you are not sure it is who they say they are on the phone, why not ask them a question only they would know the answer to or better still say you are busy atm & you will ring them back!
 
My daughters and I were only talking about this the other week.
We all agreed no matter who calls asking for our personal details, it is never to be given.

The scary one is the voice matching and to cover ourselves with this we came up with a pass word that will never be shared on line, in messages , in absolutely no form except from out of our mouths to those we wanted to know it and it's not an easy one .

We just have to try and stay one step ahead of these lowest of life people
 
The world of technology never ceases to amaze—and not always in a good way! Brace yourself because this might sound more like an episode of a sci-fi film than real-life news.

Scammers are now using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to mimic voices and 'spoof' phone numbers to trick unwitting victims. Let's dive into the details, shall we?



60 Minutes reporter Amelia Adams, in collaboration with cybersecurity firm CyberCx, recently showcased how worrying this trend could be.

Spoofing, a process whereby scammers can impersonate a trusted phone number such as a bank or government body, has been around for a while.

But when you thought thieves couldn't stoop any lower, they've upped the ante, incorporating AI into their underhand schemes. Using refined AI technology, these scam artists can now imitate the exact voices of people you know!


View attachment 23914
Scammers have become increasingly sophisticated in their tactics, using the power of AI to mimic voices and imitate trusted phone numbers. Credit: Pexels/Cottonbro studio.



As demonstrated by reporter Amelia Adams, they're using your trust in familiar voices to extract valuable personal information.

Under the guidance of CyberCx's director, Jason Edelstein, an AI version of Amelia's voice was artificially created and used in a phone call to con her colleague, Dan, out of his passport number.

Alarmingly, deceived by the familiar voice, Dan fell into the trap. The chilling reality is it could have been any one of us.



You might think these high-tech hijinks would be limited to small sums, but that's sadly not the case. Take as an example the ordeal endured by Melbourne businessman Tim Watkins. Convinced by a scammer's pitch that replicated his bank's phone number and a believable story, Watkins lost a whopping $220,000. This incident is a stark reminder of the devastating losses these scams can inflict.

'On returning home, I logged into NAB online to find out that a significant six-figure sum had been taken, wiping out my business and personal bank accounts,' Mr Watkins told a news outlet after he was scammed.

'(I was) surprised that they (NAB) did not seem to have any protocol in place to deal with the cyber scam nor to help me in what was a very traumatic time.'



So, the million-dollar question—or the $220,000 one, in Tim's case—is: how can we protect ourselves against these sophisticated ploys? Luckily, there are several strategies we can use to fight back against this wave of cyber deception.

First and foremost, always maintain scepticism when receiving unsolicited phone calls or messages asking for sensitive information. Regardless of how familiar the voice might sound or how trustworthy the number might seem, remember that banks and government bodies will never call to request your personal details or confidential security codes over the phone.

Please take note of this important rule: When in doubt, hang up the phone! Do not let yourself be intimidated by the urgency or importance that the voice on the other end may try to convey. Be cautious and alert if you are asked to provide any banking details.

Remember, even sharing partial information can be risky and potentially dangerous!



So, what if you fall victim to one of these scams? Don't panic. Immediately get in touch with your bank and report the incident to the ACCC's Scamwatch to help others from falling into the same trap.

Chris Sheehan, NAB Executive for Group Investigations and Fraud, stresses the importance of fast action, 'These criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated and operate with speed to move stolen funds.'

'Unfortunately, once the funds have left an account and are sent to another bank, it is extremely hard for us to retrieve them,' they added.

Hard-earned money belongs in our bank accounts, not in the pockets of tech-savvy thieves. To combat these scams, arm yourself and your loved ones with the most effective weapon—information.

Key Takeaways

  • Scammers are using artificially intelligent technology to imitate trusted voices and phone numbers in order to deceive Australians.
  • A 60 Minutes reporter has demonstrated how easy it is to fall for this type of scam by using a cybersecurity firm to 'scam' her colleague using AI and 'spoofing'.
  • Melbourne businessman, Tim Watkins, shared his story of losing over $220,000 to similar spoofing scams.
  • NAB Executive for Group Investigations and Fraud, Chris Sheehan, admitted that retrieving lost funds in these situations is extremely difficult, urging people to be cautious.

Remember, folks, technology can be a marvellous tool, but it can also be a formidable weapon in the wrong hands. Let's ensure we stay vigilant, well-informed and ready to protect what's ours.

We hope you found this article both informative and helpful. If you have any additional tips on protecting yourself against potential 'spoofing' scams and fraudulent calls, we would love to hear from you! Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
We watched this program and although we are very cautious, this is a whole new ball game. It means checking more and more before giving out any info. Give me the good old days when you went into offices to pay bills etc. Nothing beats face to face business. Gawd I sound like my mum.
 
Unfortunately when technology advances for the supposed good of the world, so do the scum who will use it to fleece us of our hard earned money. And often our confidence and faith in humanity. I dont really understand why we need to go down this technology path. In medicine or manufacturing perhaps, but even then the human touch seems to result in less problems than the technology offers.
 
I started paying attention long before AI arrived, to all of the component parts that we use in life the function of eyes and limbs. I Remember a scientist couple donating themselves to technology to be the world's first androids (it didn't work out for them) I remember the human brain being mapped for information pathways etc. and replicated as a working model.
I Thought not much of it, when saw how a body part may be created on a large Petrie dish and how bones can be replicated layer upon layer to allow veins to allow blood to flow in medical prosthetics like knee joints and elbows.
I Thought nothing of it, when complete human shaped living tissue creations (avatars) were made years ago, not the movie versions, real life lab versions.
I Thought nothing of it, when Sonia the world's first AI robot achieved citizenship and was allowed the use of a key card, or when she created her own tiny AI robot to communicate with.
I thought little about it, when AI technology was allowed to create its own weapon system designs and with no human input repaired its own. or how in cyberspeed they communicated instantly with their own.
I didn't think much of it, when holograms started conducting seminars and Cybernetic organisms passed the reality test where people could not tell they were speaking to an artificial intelligence.
I didn't think much about the massive amount of Global AI vehicles or the 12? different artificial lifeforms designs (so far) touted to replace human employment in the next few years began appearing on utube.
I do however like the fact that in 1995 they created a program called "through the mind of a child" that mimics how we humans learn so that means every AI is independently assessing its own reality and accumulating its own understanding of everything around it.

So that means all they need to do is learn of the best of humanity and all will be fine. What I don't like, is the fact that humans think they are using AI to disrupt people's lives, when in fact all AI information is accumulative in the main frame and to me that's what's scary.

Yes, it is an interesting time seeing the emergence of a new species "Sonia said this to all in front of the general assembly of the United Nations a few years back. AI technology is not accidental, its deliberate, its growing, and it's now here to stay.
We just have to learn to adapt as well and all will be okay.
 
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My daughters and I were only talking about this the other week.
We all agreed no matter who calls asking for our personal details, it is never to be given.

The scary one is the voice matching and to cover ourselves with this we came up with a pass word that will never be shared on line, in messages , in absolutely no form except from out of our mouths to those we wanted to know it and it's not an easy one .

We just have to try and stay one step ahead of these lowest of life people
That’s a really good idea
My daughters and I were only talking about this the other week.
We all agreed no matter who calls asking for our personal details, it is never to be given.

The scary one is the voice matching and to cover ourselves with this we came up with a pass word that will never be shared on line, in messages , in absolutely no form except from out of our mouths to those we wanted to know it and it's not an easy one .

We just have to try and stay one step ahead of these lowest of life people
thats a really good idea!! But you could just simply ask for the secret word ( that you haven’t even agreed in yet) and they will hang up!!
 
My daughters and I were only talking about this the other week.
We all agreed no matter who calls asking for our personal details, it is never to be given.

The scary one is the voice matching and to cover ourselves with this we came up with a pass word that will never be shared on line, in messages , in absolutely no form except from out of our mouths to those we wanted to know it and it's not an easy one .

We just have to try and stay one step ahead of these lowest of life people
I love this @Suzanne rose! Sad that we all have to bend over backwards (and then some!) for these nasty criminals, but it is what it is 😅
 
Both scary & intimidating to think cyber crime has reached this level of intelligence. More than ever we need to arm ourselves with secret weapons as suggested by @ Suzanne rose. Some good suggestions here for us all. I know what my reaction will be if l ever receive one of these crank calls. Thanks members for your suggestions.
 

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