Deep Fakes
Just Because It Sounds Like Someone You Know, Doesn’t Mean It Is. Deepfakes and AI generated voices are becoming increasingly convincing. Threat actors can impersonate colleagues, friends, or executives to trick you into sharing sensitive information or making payments.
Be cautious with unexpected voice or video calls asking for urgent actions & verify identities through a different / secondary channel (i.e call back using a known number or message directly).
These technologies are also being weaponised to influence political opinions. Platforms like Facebook are increasingly saturated with fabricated videos that appear authentic.
Common scams involving deep fakes include:
Family Emergency Scams
AI generated videos that impersonate a distressed family member asking for urgent financial help.
This is a good one to educate your grandparents on.
Investment & Crypto Scams
Public Figures and fake influencers promoting fake investment platforms or cryptos.
True story, one of my family members contacted me to tell me about a new investment platform prompted by a famous BBC presenter (via a Facebook Advert) – It was too good to be true but the video they watched was convincing indeed.
Job Applications
Deep Fakes have been used to impersonate real people in job interviews
The intention here is to convince the employer to hire the person and have company equipment sent to an unverified address – That device is then used maliciously.
Fake Competitions
Victims are told they have won a prize and must pay a fee to claim it.
Like with the investment & crypto scams, it’s usually someone Influential announcing this.
Deep fakes are a real threat, and this also serves as reminder to be careful when sharing photos online (especially of Children) – See below video from Deutsche Telekom (It’s a few years old, but it’s fantastic and conveys the threat well)
A Message from Ella | Without Consent
Concerned you may be a victim?
- Check and monitor your credit report with Experian and/or Equifax (ClearScore is free)
- Sign up for CIFAS protective registration — Protective Registration | Identity Protection Service | Cifas
- Seek advice from the Police — Deepfakes | Police.uk
- Inform your friend / family circle
Here are some useful articles for bedtime reading:
Deepfake Scams Are Stealing Millions — How To Spot One
Scams and frauds: Here are the tactics criminals use on you in the age of AI and cryptocurrencies