Artifical Intelligence, commonly known as AI, has become a trending topic. Scammers have caught on and are using AI to mimic celebrities, politicians, or even people you know in phone calls. This voice cloning technique, often used in robocalls, aims to deceive consumers and is frequently employed in scams where misinformation is spread, products are endorsed, or personal information and money are stolen. For instance, scammers might attempt to convince a vulnerable grandparent that their grandchild is in trouble and urgently needs money, or they might request donations for a fake charity endorsed by who they believe is a famous celebrity.

Tips to avoid robocall and robotext scams:

• Refrain from disclosing personal details like account numbers, Social Security numbers, or passwords if you receive unexpected calls that feel suspicious.
• Exercise caution if a caller pressures you for immediate information or money. Verify claims of distress from alleged loved ones by reaching out to them directly before providing any financial assistance.
• If someone calls claiming to be a celebrity or politician, avoid sharing personal or account details until you’re able to verify the authenticity of the cause or information provided.
• Avoid responding to any questions, especially those that can be answered with a simple “Yes.”

Signs that an audio is fake:

• Choppy sentences
• Varying tone inflection in speech
• Phrasing – Would the speaker say it that way?
• Context of message – Is it relevant to a recent discussion or can they answer related questions?
• Contextual clues – Are background sounds consistent with the speaker’s presumed location?

Signs that a text is fake:

• Misspellings
• Lack of flow in sentences Is the sender from a known number or email address?
• Phrasing – Would the legitimate sender speak that way?
• Context of message – Is it relevant to a recent discussion or can they answer related questions?

If you suspect you may have fallen victim to fraud or encounter any suspicious activity, don’t hesitate to reach out our fraud department at (812) 492-8200. Our dedicated team is here to assist you in navigating these challenges and ensuring the integrity of your accounts.

Sources:
https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/deep-fake-audio-and-video-links-make-robocalls-and-scam-texts-harder-spot
https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/increasing_threats_of_deepfake_identities_0.pdf