top of page
  • Writer's pictureVibha Maurya

The Growing Trend of AI Voice Cloning: Tips to Safeguard Yourself.

AI Voice Cloning Scam: How AI is Facilitating Voice Cloning for Scammers, Even Mimicking Loved Ones: Tips to Spot and Avoid Such Scams.


AI Voice Cloning scam
Avoiding Scams: Scammers Utilize Payment Methods That Pose Challenges in Retrieving Your Money. | Photo : web3cafe

Picture a situation where the voices of your loved ones, friends, children, acquaintances, or even your own voice are exploited for financial fraud. It might sound alarming, doesn't it?


In a recent incident reported from Haryana, a man fell victim to a scam and lost Rs 30,000, all thanks to an AI voice cloning tool. The fraudster impersonated the man's friend, claiming to be in a hospital after an accident and in urgent need of money. Upon checking with his friend, the man discovered he had been deceived.


A similar case occurred in Shimla, where a man was duped of two lakh rupees by fraudsters mimicking his uncle's voice.


According to a recent McAfee report, a staggering 83% of Indians have experienced financial losses due to such scams, and 69% find it challenging to differentiate between voices generated by humans and those by AI.


The advance of Artificial Intelligence is providing scammers with a new tool to mimic voices, even those of close ones, leading to an increase in online fraud. AI voice cloning, also known as voice synthesis or mimicry, involves using machine learning or AI to replicate a person's voice. To accomplish this, the technology requires a sufficient amount of voice data for analysis to learn the distinct vocal traits of the targeted individual. Various free and paid tools are available for creating these voice clones, posing a risk of deception and scams against unsuspecting individuals.


But how can you recognize AI voice scams and protect yourself from becoming a victim?


1.Exercise Caution with Unanticipated Calls: Prioritize Identity Verification

Stay alert during unexpected calls and verify the caller's identity. If someone from an unknown number is requesting money or personal information, exercise caution. Even if the voice seems familiar, ask specific questions that only you and the caller would know to confirm their identity.


2.Pay Close Attention: Attentive Listening is Key

Pay close attention to the details. Listen carefully for any unnatural pauses, robotic speech patterns, pronunciation errors, or changes in speaking tone. Be attentive to emotional expression in the voice and note any discrepancies.


3.Pause and Reflect: Exercise Caution When the Caller Requests Money

Beware of scammers who request payment in ways that make it difficult to recover your money. If someone is asking for a substantial amount, take a moment to pause and reflect. Ask for reasons behind the request, let them know you need time to think, hang up, and verify their identity before proceeding.


4.Avoid Sharing Your Audio Clip Anywhere

Voice cloning is a simple task for scammers who can exploit audio clips from public sources to create deceptive clones and trick your contacts. To prioritize safety for yourself and those you know, refrain from sharing your audio clips on public platforms.


Vigilance is crucial. Exercise caution with unknown incoming calls, and it's recommended to verify any calls that seem even slightly suspicious.



Comments


bottom of page