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