Over the past year, the artificial intelligence boom has changed how we work with technology. While this advancement has many positive attributes, as seen in the healthcare and sustainability fields, it can be used for schemes and scams. Unfortunately, many people are impacted by artificial intelligence identity theft scams, leaving them and their assets vulnerable. As such, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the most common scams used by thieves and the steps you can take to protect yourself. The following blog explores these elements and why working with a San Diego County identity theft lawyer is critical if you find yourself impacted by AI schemes.
What Artificial Intelligence Schemes Should I Be Aware Of?
One of the most common schemes that utilizes artificial intelligence is voice cloning. As many on social media share clips of their life, their voice may be included in posts. Thieves take these voice clips and insert them into AI programs, then call their loved ones, pretending to be in trouble. Most commonly, these are used as “kidnapping” schemes, in which the target believes the caller is their loved one being held for ransom. However, tests show these can pass bank biometric security measures, meaning scammers should potentially gain access to someone’s banking account.
Another common scheme that utilizes AI is “deep fakes.” These create hyper-realistic images of individuals that make it appear as though they are speaking. As such, you may be tricked into sending money to someone only for it to be computer-generated.
What Can I Do to Protect Myself?
As technology advances, it’s important to understand the steps you can take to protect yourself. Generally, the most important thing to do is not to share sensitive information until you have verified the identity of the person you’re speaking with.
Additionally, one of the simplest steps you can take is to turn on two-factor authentication for your banking and financial accounts. This requires you to enter a code after submitting successful login information. As such, if AI can be used to access your account, they may not be able to get in without the unique code provided to you.
Finally, you’ll want to ensure you stay up-to-date with the scams that AI technology is being used for. The more familiar you are with these schemes, the easier it is to know when dealing with a fraudster.
Unfortunately, you’ll find that despite taking the necessary steps to protect yourself, scammers can still access your information through other means. As such, if you are a victim of identity theft, it’s in your best interest to connect with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. At Barthel Legal, we understand how difficult it can be to learn that you are a victim of identity theft. That’s why our firm will do everything possible to assist you in these matters. Connect with us today to learn how we can help you.
