Meta, the company behind the AI speech tool called Voicebox, has announced a delay in its release due to concerns about the potential risks of misuse. While Voicebox has the capability to generate realistic speech resembling the voice of a person from a source clip, it also poses a threat in terms of enabling the creation of deceptive “deepfake” dialogue.
The increasing accessibility of AI tools has made it easier for scammers to engage in cybercrime. One type of scam, known as voice cloning, has gained traction in the United States. Voice cloning tools are readily available online, often for free, allowing fraudsters to leave misleading voicemails and alter their voices during phone calls. The objective of this scam is to deceive individuals by impersonating their family members.
A recent survey revealed that 70 percent of respondents expressed uncertainty about their ability to distinguish between a cloned voice and a real one, highlighting the potential for successful deception.
Perpetrating a crime using such technology is relatively simple. Scammers only require a short audio clip of a person’s voice, which can be easily obtained from content posted online. By utilizing a voice-cloning program, scammers can create convincing calls that mimic the voices of loved ones. As this form of cybercrime becomes more prevalent, individuals must exercise increased vigilance and take appropriate safety measures when receiving calls from unknown numbers.
In addition to voice scams, there are other risks associated with AI-generated voice impersonation. When suspicions arise regarding someone impersonating a caller, it is advisable to hang up and call back the person’s genuine phone number. Contacting the person through social media can help verify the authenticity of the call. If the individual has no recollection of calling, it is important to decline any further phone calls. Currently, victims are often targeted using unknown numbers, so it is recommended to avoid answering calls from unfamiliar sources.
To minimize the chances of falling victim to such scams, it is wise to refrain from posting phone numbers online or on social media platforms. Moreover, as these scams continue to proliferate, establishing a unique “safeword” with trusted individuals can help differentiate genuine emergencies from fraudulent attempts.
