Seeing Isn't Believing: AI Scams

Your phone rings late; the caller sounds just like your child or grandchild. Upset, they claim they’ve been in an accident and need money urgently. The voice sounds real because it is a convincing copy of someone you trust.

Just a few years ago, fraud like this might have sounded like a bad science fiction movie. Today, though, scams powered by artificial intelligence (AI) are among the fastest-growing scams out there.

AI has become a useful tool for many everyday tasks. It can help write documents, answer questions, and solve problems. At ITC, we’ve even offered ITC University training sessions to help members learn how to use it effectively. Unfortunately, scammers have discovered that AI can create remarkably convincing conversations that sound just like the real person.

Deepfakes

According to the South Dakota Bureau of Information and Technology, AI-generated “deepfakes” are becoming a significant threat. A deepfake is a fake image, video, or audio recording created using artificial intelligence. With enough publicly available information from social media, videos, or recordings, scammers can imitate someone’s appearance or even clone their voice.

The information used to create these scams often comes from places many of us use every day, such as social media videos, public presentations, and voicemail greetings. Like most scams, the goal is simple. The scammer tries to create a sense of urgency and hopes you’ll act before stopping to verify the story.

Safe Word

That’s why one of the best defenses is surprisingly simple: create a safe word with your family and close friends. A safe word is a private word or phrase, like a password, known only to the people you trust. It can be something silly and memorable, but not something others could easily guess. For example, a phrase like “The dog says meow” would work perfectly.

If you receive an urgent call, text, or video message asking for money, personal information, or immediate action, ask for the safe word. A real family member will know it. A scammer using a cloned voice or AI-generated video will not. If they can’t provide the safe word, stop the conversation and verify the situation through another trusted contact method before taking any action.

Stay Informed

Technology continues to change, but scammers still rely on panic, urgency, and trust just like they always have. That’s why taking a moment to slow down and verify can make all the difference. The next scam may look real, sound real, and even use the voice of someone you know.

Staying informed about new technology and scam tactics is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your loved ones. By remaining cautious, using tools like safe words, and regularly discussing online safety with your family, you can help ensure you won’t fall for the latest tricks, even as scammers continue to evolve their tactics.