The New Generation of Fraud
Scams are no longer just about poorly written emails with suspicious links. The rise of accessible AI tools has armed fraudsters with the ability to create highly convincing deceptions at an unprecedented scale. These aren't your typical spam messages;
AI-powered scams are polished, personalised, and emotionally potent. They can clone a person's voice from just a few seconds of audio scraped from social media, or create deepfake videos that show someone saying or doing something they never did. The surge in these attacks has been dramatic, with some reports showing a more than 1,200% increase in AI-assisted phishing. This new reality means our old methods of spotting fakes—like looking for spelling errors or awkward language—are becoming obsolete.
The 'Emergency' Call Gets an Upgrade
One of the most powerful uses of this technology is the AI-powered vishing, or voice phishing, scam. Fraudsters can use AI to clone the voice of a family member, often a child or grandchild, from a short audio clip found online. They then call a target, usually an older adult, with a fabricated emergency: a car accident, an arrest, or a medical crisis requiring immediate funds. The call feels real because the voice is perfect, complete with the right tone and inflections. This tactic preys on emotion, creating a sense of urgency designed to make you act before you think. The goal is to bypass rational thought and trigger an immediate, protective response to send money via wire transfer or gift cards before the deception can be uncovered.
Seeing Isn't Believing Anymore
Beyond audio, AI is also being used to create deepfakes—videos and images that realistically depict people, including well-known figures like celebrities or executives, doing or saying things that never happened. These can be used for blackmail, to spread disinformation, or in elaborate business scams. For example, a fraudster might create a deepfake video of a CEO instructing an employee in the finance department to make an urgent, secret wire transfer. While AI-generated visuals can still have flaws, such as unnatural blinking, strange lighting, or weird details around the hands and mouth, they are becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish from reality.
How to Build Your Defence
Protecting yourself in this new environment isn't about having the latest antivirus software; it's about developing new habits. The most powerful tool a scammer has is urgency. Your strongest defence is to pause. If you receive a high-pressure call or message, especially one involving money, take a moment to think. The most critical step is out-of-band verification. This means if you get a frantic call from a loved one, hang up and call them back on the number you have saved for them. Do not use the number that just called you. If you can't reach them, contact another trusted family member to verify the story.
Creating a 'Digital Password'
For family members, consider establishing a secret code word or question. This is a simple, low-tech solution that a scammer using a cloned voice won't know. If someone calls in a panic, you can ask for the code word to confirm their identity. For business communications, especially those involving financial transactions or sensitive data, layered approval processes are key. A request to change payment details or send money should always be confirmed through a second, pre-established channel, like a phone call to a known number or an in-person check. Be mindful of what you share online; public photos, videos, and voice recordings can all become raw material for fraudsters.
