AI scams: learn how to protect yourself from deepfakes and voice cloning
The proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought notable advances, but it has also opened the door to new and sophisticated forms of fraud. Experts warn of the exponential growth of scams that use voice deepfakes, image cloning and fake messages, making detection more challenging for the public. Understanding these tactics is crucial to avoid financial and emotional losses, as technology allows criminals to simulate identities with high accuracy.
Verification of AI-generated audio and video content
Deepfakes, videos or audios altered by artificial intelligence, have characteristics that can reveal manipulation. In visual recordings, look for inconsistencies in lighting or shading, robotic or unnatural facial movements, and a lack of perfect synchronization between lip movement and speech. Eyes that blink irregularly or barely at all are also important signs.
In the case of audio and voice calls, pay attention to intonation. Artificial or cloned voices often sound monotonous, have unusual pauses, or have an inconsistent quality throughout the conversation. Any hissing, background noise, or abrupt change in tone could indicate that it is a scam, especially when the call appears to be coming from a known contact.
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How to identify suspicious messages and requests
Despite the sophistication of deepfakes, many scams still rely on social engineering tactics, such as urgency and emotional appeal. Text messages (SMS), emails or in-app communications that request immediate actions, such as money transfers, sharing banking details or personal information, should be viewed with great suspicion. It is common for criminals to create emergency scenarios to pressure the victim.
An effective measure is to seek confirmation of the request through an alternative channel, especially if the message comes from an unknown number or a contact whose behavior seems different from usual. Calling back the contact’s original, previously known number, or using a “safe password” agreed in advance with family and close friends, can prevent you from falling into voice cloning traps.
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Warning signs on unknown links and senders
Browsing suspicious links is a common vector for installing malware and stealing data, even in scams that use AI. Be wary of any link sent by unknown sources or that appears slightly different from the official address of a company or service. Note the spelling, which often contains small errors to deceive.
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Verifying the sender’s identity is also a crucial step. In emails, hover over the sender’s name to see the full email address; He often does not match the organization he claims to represent. Scams use names or addresses that resemble well-known brands, but contain subtle variations to go unnoticed.
Security measures to protect personal information
Keeping your digital accounts protected is essential in the face of the growing threat of scams. Enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) on all online services adds an extra layer of security, making it more difficult to gain unauthorized access even if your password is compromised. Using strong and unique passwords for each platform is another essential practice.
Additionally, continued education about new forms of fraud and adopting a skeptical stance toward unexpected contacts and requests are the best defenses. Keep your devices’ software and operating systems up to date to ensure the latest security patches are applied, protecting against vulnerabilities exploited by criminals.
