Protecting yourself and staying ahead of Artificial Intelligence (AI) scammers is more important than ever. As technology advances, AI has become increasingly sophisticated, making it harder to detect and avoid.
What is an AI spoof? Scammers use generative AI to impersonate your family, friends, banks, government entities, etc. via phone and video calls to ask you for money and personal information.
To help you stay safe, we’ve compiled six tips to better protect yourself from AI spoofing.
- Use multifactor authentication. With multifactor you’ll use two identifying factors to get into your account, for example a password and a text to your phone. A scammer would need access to both of these to get access to your account. Do not share the passwords, or any security codes sent to your phone with anyone.
- Research before you invest in anything. All investments involve risk, so you should not trust anyone who offers a “sure bet.” Do not send money to someone you met online or via apps, and don’t make investments based on their advice.
- Use stronger passwords. Follow and exceed the strength requirements with symbols, numbers, etc. Try not to reuse the same password for multiple accounts. Consider setting up a family password among your immediate family members that can be used to verify who you are speaking to.
- Enable updates. Make sure you have enabled auto-updates on your apps and phone. This will ensure security patches are in place, making it more difficult for scammers to hack your accounts and device. If you are unsure about the validity of an app, do not download it.
- Verify information. If you’re talking with someone on video chats or phone calls, make sure it’s them by verifying the phone number with the one you already have. Remember, even video chats and online trading platforms that appear real can be fake.
- Slow down. Don’t let scammers catch you off guard with their false sense of urgency. Take a deep breath and slow down. You do not need to act immediately.
If you have been impacted by AI spoofing, here are a few immediate steps to take:
- Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to file a complaint online* or by phone at 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357).
- File an identity theft claim at identitytheft.gov*. This will begin the process recovering your identity and taking measures to prevent future identity theft.
- File a complaint with the FBI through the Internet Crime Complaint Center* (IC3).
- Notify the financial institutions you work with. This includes your bank, investment companies, insurance companies, and brokerage firms.
- Notify the three major credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion and place a freeze on your credit with all three agencies.
- File a police report with your local police department.
- Change all your internet banking passwords.
Remember, if something feels off, it probably is. AI spoofing tactics are designed to seem convincing, so trust your instincts and stay cautious.
*Please Note: There are external links included in this article that will take you to a website Bankers Trust does not control. Bankers Trust has provided these links for your convenience, but does not endorse and is not responsible for the content, links, privacy policy, or security policy of external websites.