Protecting Yourself from Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Powered Imposter Scams

<p>Protecting Yourself from Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Powered Imposter Scams</p>

In the digital age, technology has brought convenience and efficiency to our lives, but it has also opened new avenues for fraudsters. One of the most concerning trends is the use of AI to carry out imposter scams. These sophisticated scams can be particularly challenging to detect and prevent.

AI-powered imposter scams involve the use of advanced technology to mimic the voice, appearance, or behavior of someone you know, such as a family member, friend, or even a bank representative.

Remember: KeyBank will not call, email, or text you and ask for your full Social Security number, username, password, or other personal information. If you receive such contact, be cautious and end the communication. Make sure not to dial suspicious numbers or open provided links or attachments from suspicious sources.

Types of AI-powered imposter scams

Voice cloning

  • Fraudsters can use AI to clone the voice of a known individual.
  • They might gather voice samples from social media, phone calls, or other public sources to create a realistic imitation.

 

Deepfake videos

  • Deepfake technology can create highly realistic video content that appears to show a person doing or saying something they never actually did.
  • These videos can be used to impersonate someone and gain your trust.

Once the fraudster has a convincing imitation, they may use social engineering tactics to manipulate you into sharing sensitive information or making financial transactions.

For example, a fraudster might call you pretending to be a family member in distress, claiming they need immediate financial assistance to get out of a difficult situation.

How to spot AI-powered imposter scams

Voice cloning

  • Listen for unnatural speech patterns, such as robotic-sounding speech or inconsistency in tone or emotion.
  • If the caller sounds like a friend or family member but can't answer personal questions, it is most likely a scam.

 

Deepfake videos

  • Watch for unnatural facial expressions or body movements, like unnatural blinking, strange facial expressions, or mismatched lip movement and speech.
  • Look for flaws in the background, such as blurry objects and unnatural lighting or shadows.
  • Pay attention to imperfections in audio quality, speech patterns, tone, and facial movements.
  • Look for watermarks. Some social media platforms flag potentially altered content.

How to help protect yourself

  • Verify requests for payment or sensitive information by directly contacting that person or organization through a known phone number or channel before you respond.
  • Scrutinize unsolicited messages sent with high urgency.
  • Enable multi-factor authentication whenever possible.
  • Be cautious with the personal information, photos, and videos you share online.
  • Check your accounts daily and immediately report unauthorized transactions to help increase the chance of recovering the money.
  • Stay informed about the latest fraud tactics and share this information with your family and friends.

What to do if you think you've become a victim of an AI-powered imposter scam

  1. Immediately contact any financial institution where you maintain an account. If you are a KeyBank client, please call the KeyBank Fraud Client Service Center at 1-800-433-0124, or dial 711 for TTY/TRS.
  2. File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov.
  3. Change your passwords and security questions for all affected accounts.
  4. Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports and monitoring your credit for signs of identity theft.

By staying informed and taking proactive steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to AI-powered imposter scams.

Learn more about our commitment to fraud prevention and cybersecurity at key.com/fraud.

Content provided for informational and educational purposes only and is in no way to be construed as financial, investment, or legal advice. We cannot and do not guarantee their applicability or accuracy in regards to your individual circumstances. All examples are hypothetical and are for illustrative purposes. We encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding all personal financial issues.