A.I. Scam Calls

Scam calls are a problem - and that's before taking into consideration the advances in artificial intelligence (A.I.).

But now that scammers have access to the latest technology it is increasingly easier for them to create more realistic - and scarier - scams.

And there is no escaping the AI scam-pocalypse. If you have a phone, you are at risk.

This risk is multiplied if you have a traditional landline phone.

It's important that you not only understand how these AI scam calls work but that you take the necessary steps to prevent them.

AI Scam Calls - VOICE SPOOFING

How Scammers Use Voice Clips from Family Members

Voice spoofing is a tactic scammers employ using AI to clone the voice of a family member. In the video at the top of the page, Gary Schildhorn details an elaborate AI scam call that almost cost him thousands of dollars. Even though he stopped short of sending the money, the panic and fear he felt will stay with him forever.

To pull off a voice spoofing scam, all the scammer needs is a short audio clip of your family member's voice — which he could get from content posted online — and a voice-cloning program. From there, the scammer is able to generate whatever message he wants in order to trick you into sending some form of payment.

If you receive a call from someone who sounds like a family member or a close friend and they are asking for money — particularly if they want to be paid via a wire transfer, cryptocurrency or a gift card — you should hang up and call the person directly to verify their story.

You should also establish a secret phrase that only you and your family knows. If the caller doesn't know it or can't identify it, then you know it is a scam.

AI SCAm Calls - Virtual Kidnapping

How Virtual Kidnapping Works and How to Spot the Scheme

According to the FBI, virtual kidnapping:

"...takes on many forms, it is always an extortion scheme—one that tricks victims into paying a ransom to free a loved one they believe is being threatened with violence or death. Unlike traditional abductions, virtual kidnappers have not actually kidnapped anyone. Instead, through deceptions and threats, they coerce victims to pay a quick ransom before the scheme falls apart.

Unlike traditional abductions, virtual kidnappers have not actually kidnapped anyone. Instead, through deceptions and threats, they coerce victims to pay a quick ransom before the scheme falls apart."

Virtual kidnappings can employ voice spoofing tactics (as described above) but don't always use the AI-generated voices of family members. Instead, scammers using virtual kidnapping tactics rely on speed and fear to extort victims.

A common scenario starts with an unsuspecting person answered the phone. When they pick up, they hear a female screaming, “Help me!” In most situations, the screamer’s voice is provided via a recording. Instinctively, the victim might blurt out his or her child’s name: “Mary, are you okay?” And then a man’s voice would say something like, “We have Mary. She’s in a truck. We are holding her hostage. You need to pay a ransom and you need to do it now or we're going to do something bad.”

The FBI says to look out for these possible virtual kidnapping indicators:

· Callers go to great lengths to keep you on the phone, insisting you remain on the line

· Calls do not come from the supposed victim’s phone.

· Callers try to prevent you from contacting the “kidnapped” victim.

· Calls include demands for ransom money to be paid via wire transfer to Mexico; ransom amount demands may drop quickly.

And if you receive a phone call from someone demanding a ransom for an alleged kidnap victim, the FBI recommends considering the following:

· In most cases, the best course of action is to hang up the phone.
· If you do engage the caller, don’t call out your loved one’s name.
· Try to slow the situation down. Request to speak to your family member directly. Ask, “How do I know my loved one is okay?”
· Ask questions only the alleged kidnap victim would know, such as the name of a pet. Avoid sharing information about yourself or your family.
· Listen carefully to the voice of the alleged victim if they speak.
· Attempt to contact the alleged victim via phone, text, or social media, and request that they call back from their cell phone.
· To buy time, repeat the caller’s request and tell them you are writing down the demand, or tell the caller you need time to get things moving.
· Don’t agree to pay a ransom, by wire or in person. Delivering money in person can be dangerous.

Meet imp, the Spam Call Blocker that stops 100% of unwanted spam callers

How to Block AI Scam Calls on Landline Phone

The Best Time to Stop AI Scam Calls is Before They Start

The unfortunate reality is that if you have a phone then you are a potential victim.

And since the scammers are using advanced technology, your only defense is to up your landline phone's intelligence to defeat the scammers.

Which is exactly what imp does.

How does imp block AI scam calls on landline phones? Easily.

Thanks to our proprietary Greenlist Technology, the only calls you get are the calls you want. imp pairs the contacts from your smartphone to your landline. And then checks every single call that comes in. If it's a caller imp recognizes, your phone rings. Every other caller is silently sent to voicemail where imp takes a message for you.

In less than 10 minutes - and with the same home phone you already have - you can start protecting your home, and your loved ones, from AI scam calls.

Because the best time to stop AI scam calls is before they even start.

Still have questions about how to block AI Scam Calls?

Contact us today to see how we can help →

A.I. Scam Calls

AI Scam Calls - VOICE SPOOFING

How Scammers Use Voice Clips from Family Members

AI SCAm Calls - Virtual Kidnapping

How Virtual Kidnapping Works and How to Spot the Scheme

· In most cases, the best course of action is to hang up the phone.

· If you do engage the caller, don’t call out your loved one’s name.

· Try to slow the situation down. Request to speak to your family member directly. Ask, “How do I know my loved one is okay?”

· Ask questions only the alleged kidnap victim would know, such as the name of a pet. Avoid sharing information about yourself or your family.

· Listen carefully to the voice of the alleged victim if they speak.

· Attempt to contact the alleged victim via phone, text, or social media, and request that they call back from their cell phone.

· To buy time, repeat the caller’s request and tell them you are writing down the demand, or tell the caller you need time to get things moving.

· Don’t agree to pay a ransom, by wire or in person. Delivering money in person can be dangerous.

How to Block AI Scam Calls on Landline Phone

The Best Time to Stop AI Scam Calls is Before They Start

Still have questions about how to block AI Scam Calls?

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