The holiday season can present various challenges—perhaps you neglected to purchase a gift for your in-laws or accidentally overcooked the Christmas Day roast potatoes. However, there’s a more serious concern you might encounter: festive scams.
Experts are cautioning individuals about the sophisticated tactics scammers employ to ensnare you, including artificial intelligence (AI) scams that can appear deceptively authentic. While AI can be entertaining, especially with the current trend of having it visualize the ‘average person’ for various roles, there is also a darker side.
An emerging trend involves the use of AI to deceive people into parting with their hard-earned money. Scammers are employing audio and video effects to replicate the voices of loved ones, as noted by BBB spokeswoman Celia Surridge in a warning to CBS News.
The prospect of answering a call and hearing a familiar voice—perhaps that of a sibling, parent, or friend—in distress, requesting financial assistance, is unsettling. Most people would instinctively respond, unknowingly falling victim to a scam.
According to CBS News, the FBI advises against answering calls from unknown numbers and encourages verification with other family members. If something seems amiss, it likely is, prompting the importance of fact-checking before divulging any personal information.
Another scam involves automated calls mimicking well-known companies like Amazon, Apple, and Visa. These calls aim to frighten recipients with false claims of expensive unauthorized purchases, prompting individuals to disclose bank account information.
For added security, it is recommended to use official channels to contact the company in question to verify any purported purchases. Scammers often employ tactics to induce panic, but it’s crucial to take a moment to assess the situation before sharing personal details.
