The FBI just put out a new warning about those sneaky hackers who are using artificial intelligence to send text messages and voice mails in order to trick people into giving up their personal info. So, how does this whole scam work? Well, these hackers will pretend to be some big shot government official and try to scare you into responding. Lance Ulanoff, the big cheese over at TechRadar, explained that they might say stuff like, “Your Social Security account got hacked. You owe money to a bank. The FBI is on the hunt for you.” Pretty spooky, right?
If you do end up taking the bait and respond, these hackers will start fishing for your personal details, usually by asking you to switch to a different messaging platform. Ulanoff advises folks not to fall for it and to go back to the original source instead. Apparently, these hackers are using AI tools to create a voice for the fake government official they’re pretending to be. Ulanoff mentioned, “You can whip up a voice in just a few minutes with these tools. It’s not just about mimicking your own voice, but crafting one based on someone else, like an official. They just need to listen to a few phrases or a couple minutes of speech, and bam, they’ve got a voice they can use for their shady purposes.”
The FBI noted that this scam has been gaining momentum since April. To avoid getting duped, they suggest verifying the identity of the person reaching out to you, checking the email address and phone number closely, and looking out for any weird stuff in photo or video attachments. When in doubt, it’s best to get in touch with the officials or the FBI. As for voicemails, Ulanoff advised keeping an ear out for any glitches in the voice, like weird tones or pitches. He emphasized the importance of not acting in haste and taking the time to protect yourself from these scammers. If the supposed government official wants to chat with you, Ulanoff recommended looking up the official’s phone number online and contacting them directly to verify the situation. These hackers are experts at playing on people’s fears to reel them in, so it’s crucial to stay vigilant and not click on any links or download attachments until you’re sure about the sender.
In conclusion, it’s essential to stay on your toes and not let these hackers catch you off guard. Always double-check who you’re communicating with, be wary of any strange requests, and take the time to verify information before taking any action. Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to protecting your personal information from these cyber crooks. Stay alert, stay safe, and don’t fall for their tricks!
