The FBI has issued a warning about the increasing use of generative AI, especially deepfakes, in criminal activity. These AI-powered tools can convincingly mimic real people, creating audio and video that's nearly indistinguishable from the real thing. This poses a significant threat, as scammers use these techniques to impersonate loved ones or authority figures to manipulate victims into giving up personal information or money.
The FBI Building in Washington, D.C. (Brooks Kraft/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)
How Criminals Use AI for Scams
Criminals are employing a range of AI-driven tactics, including:
- Voice Cloning: Creating audio that sounds exactly like a family member in distress, often requesting urgent financial help.
- Real-Time Video Calls: Staging fake video calls that appear to involve company executives, law enforcement, or other trusted figures.
- AI-Generated Text and Images: Crafting realistic messages and creating believable online profiles for phishing and social engineering schemes.
- Impersonation and Manipulation: Using deepfakes to impersonate public figures or loved ones in crisis situations, exploiting emotional responses for financial gain.
Image of AI illustration (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)
Protecting Yourself from AI-Powered Fraud
Here are some essential steps to protect yourself:
- Control Your Online Presence: Limit the personal information, especially photos and videos, you share publicly online.
- Consider Data Removal Services: Proactively remove your personal information from online databases to minimize the data available for creating deepfakes.
- Safeguard Sensitive Information: Never share personal or financial details with unknown individuals online or over the phone.
- Verify Identities: Independently confirm the identity of anyone requesting sensitive information, especially in urgent or unusual situations. Establish a secret verification phrase with family and friends.
- Enhance Online Security: Use strong, unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and regularly monitor your accounts for suspicious activity.
- Be Wary of Suspicious Communications: Don't click on links or open attachments from unknown sources. Be cautious of messages that pressure you to act quickly or appeal to your emotions.
- Report Suspicious Activity: Report any suspected scams or fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Image of AI illustration (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)
A woman typing on her laptop (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)
