Beware of Voice Deepfakes: Experts Warn of Growing Threat of Scammers Impersonating Others
With the rapid advancement of deepfake technology, experts are sounding the alarm about the increasing threat of scammers using voice deepfakes to deceive and defraud unsuspecting victims. Deepfake, a combination of deep learning and fake, refers to the use of artificial intelligence to create convincing fake images, videos, or audio content.
To determine whether an audio recording is a deepfake or a genuine human speech, several characteristics should be considered. These include the timbre, manner, and intonation of the speech. A telltale sign of a voice deepfake is an unnatural monotony in the speech pattern. Additionally, the sound quality can be an indicator, with illegible speech or strange noises raising suspicion.
While deepfake technology itself is harmless, in the wrong hands it becomes a dangerous tool for deception, defamation, and disinformation. While there haven’t been widespread cases of scams involving voice alterations yet, there have been notable instances of scammers exploiting deepfake technology. In 2019, scammers impersonated the chief executive of a UK-based energy firm’s German parent company and successfully tricked the company into transferring €220,000 to a designated account. Similarly, in 2020, scammers used voice deepfakes to steal up to $35,000,000 from a Japanese company.
Although the technology for creating high-quality deepfakes is currently limited, experts believe that it could become more accessible in the future, leading to a surge in related fraud. Attackers may attempt to generate real-time voice impersonations, pretending to be someone’s relative in order to trick victims into parting with their money. While this scenario is not yet realistic due to resource limitations, fraudsters can still create low-quality audio fakes that require fewer resources.
To protect oneself from falling victim to deepfake scams, experts from cybersecurity company Kaspersky recommend paying attention to suspicious calls. Signs of a potential deepfake include poor sound quality, unnatural speech patterns, unintelligible speech, or extraneous noise. It is important not to make decisions based solely on emotions, avoid sharing personal details, and never transfer money, even if the caller sounds convincing. Double-checking information received through multiple channels is also advisable. Additionally, using reliable security solutions like Kaspersky Premium on devices can provide an extra layer of protection.
Kaspersky, a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company founded in 1997, offers comprehensive security solutions and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure, governments, and consumers worldwide.
In summary, as the threat of voice deepfake scams continues to grow, it is crucial for individuals to remain vigilant and skeptical of suspicious calls. By adopting the recommended precautions and utilizing reliable security solutions, individuals can protect themselves from falling victim to scammers exploiting this technology.
