Technology has reached a point where a voice or even a face can be faked convincingly. This sounds alarming, but there is a simple habit that keeps you safe.
What is now possible
Artificial intelligence (software that learns from examples) can copy a person’s voice from just a short clip, perhaps taken from a video they posted online. It can also create fake video that looks like a real person. This is often called a deepfake.
How it is used in scams
The most common version is an urgent « family emergency » call. You hear a voice that sounds like your child, grandchild, or another relative. They say they are in trouble: an accident, an arrest, a stranded trip, and they need money right away. The voice may sound frightened, which makes it harder to think clearly.
The whole scam depends on you trusting the voice and acting fast.
The one thing to remember
A familiar voice or face is no longer proof of who you are talking to. So before you send money or share anything, verify through a channel you already know.
- Hang up.
- Call the person back yourself on the number you already have saved for them.
- Or check with another family member who would know where they are.