Family emergency scams are on the rise and evolving thanks to AI.
Who makes phone calls nowadays anyway? Scammers, that’s who. And maybe your older relatives.
All jokes aside – family emergency scams are on the rise.
And it might not be enough only to educate yourself on these types of scams since they tend to target seniors – meaning you may have to step in and prepare your loved ones, including grandma or grandpa, to identify and avoid these scams.
What are Family Emergency Scams?
Family emergency scams are facilitated through phone calls using AI voice cloning technology. AI voice cloning software enables scammers to artificially duplicate your loved ones’ voices, sometimes with uncanny accuracy, and create convincing messages that they need help or are in trouble. According to research conducted by online protection service McAfee, even a three-second audio clip posted on social media is enough for scammers with basic AI skills to create an 85% voice match. The longer the audio clip, the more convincing AI voice cloning technology can be, thus, increasing the likelihood of duping victims into sending money.
Proceed with Caution – How Family Scams Work
The more you put on social media, the more scammers have on you. Scammers love it when you announce on Instagram that you bought a new puppy, purchased a car for your child or grandson or are going on an international family trip. Scammers can use AI voice cloning technology to create audio that sounds exactly like your loved one and deliver a convincing verbal message with it. One that’s rooted in facts you’ve shared online and directly with your loved ones.
Nevertheless, even the most private people can be family emergency scam victims if their information is hacked, so remember to take steps to prevent yourself from being hacked.
Granddaughter, is that you? How to Spot and Stop Family Emergency Scams
Here are a few of the red flags you’ll want to listen for when answering a phone call from a so-called relative:
- They’re calling from a number you don’t recognize.
- They have a strong sense of urgency around their request for money and/or assistance, suggesting that something horrible will happen if you don’t help them.
- They ask for a nontraditional payment form, including a gift card, cryptocurrency or wire transfer.
- They ask for sensitive information, including your credit card number, bank account information or Social Security number.
- They tell you not to tell anyone else, including family members, about their predicament.
Once you notice one or two red flags, verify if this is a family emergency or a scam. Hang up and call your loved one at the phone number you regularly use to contact them. If they answer and aren’t in trouble, you’ll know it’s a scam. If they don’t answer, try the number of a family member or friend who might have recently been with the person or know of their whereabouts. If you successfully spot a scam, report it to the FTC.
And if you want to be proactive about it, it’s helpful to establish a safe word to get ahead of these scams before they happen. Share the word with your innermost circle and tell them to ask for it the next time they’re on the phone with someone they suspect might be a scammer. If the caller can’t provide the safe word, you’ll know their request for help isn’t legitimate.
At the end of the day, education is your and your loved ones’ first line of defense, so stay informed of the latest scams, including romance scams, and familiarize yourself with the steps to protect yourself and them from falling victim.
About Schneider Downs Cybersecurity
The Schneider Downs cybersecurity practice consists of experts offering a comprehensive set of information technology security services, including penetration testing, intrusion prevention/detection review, ransomware security, vulnerability assessments and a robust digital forensics and incident response team. In addition, our Digital Forensics and Incident Response teams are available 24x7x365 at 1-800-993-8937 if you suspect or are experiencing a network incident of any kind.
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