In an ever-evolving battle against phone scammers and robocalls, a growing concern is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to mimic victims' voices, making these scams even more convincing. While efforts have been made to curb scam calls, it's imperative for individuals to bolster their phone defenses and remain vigilant.
Phone scammers and robocalls have become an epidemic, with billions of spam calls plaguing people worldwide. Voice security company Hyia reported a staggering 6.5 billion instances of phone spam calls in a single quarter. In the United States, the problem is particularly acute, with an average of 12 scam calls per month per person, and one in four calls being unwanted, according to a Q2 report.
AI Voice Mimicry Adds a Dangerous Twist
The latest development in the world of phone scams involves the use of AI technology to record victims' voices and replicate them in vishing (voice phishing) attacks. This advanced generative AI text-to-speech technology allows scammers to pose as someone familiar to their victims, even incorporating personal details to enhance the believability of the scam. This puts individuals at risk of inadvertently sharing sensitive information with scammers.
As scammers become more sophisticated, individuals need to strengthen their defenses against phone scams. Cross-referencing multiple apps that offer call filtering and spam protection can enhance overall prevention. If a suspicious call does get through, it's essential to hang up without divulging personal information and report the number to relevant apps. Furthermore, caution in sharing personal phone numbers and considering the use of virtual numbers or secondary lines for public or one-time purposes can be a wise approach.
Setting Phone Defenses on Android and iPhone
For Android users, enabling "Caller ID and spam protection" on Samsung phones or using the Phone by Google app with built-in spam filtering can help screen and block unwanted calls. However, it's crucial to verify caller IDs, as scammers can manipulate them.
Apple iPhone users can benefit from the "Silence Unknown Callers" feature and explore third-party apps for call blocking and identification. While these features are effective, there may be occasional false positives, so individuals should monitor their call history.
AI voice mimickers have made scam calls more convincing than ever, with up to 70% accuracy in cloning voices. Scammers often exploit a sense of urgency and fear to elicit information from their targets. In response, individuals should avoid picking up calls from unknown numbers, refrain from saying "yes," and confirm the legitimacy of calls directly with relevant organizations.
The Role of Reporting and Data Protection
Reporting suspected scammers to tech companies is vital for identifying and flagging problematic numbers quickly. Most phone apps offer reporting features, allowing users to block or report spam calls. Additionally, data breaches have contributed to the surge in fraudulent calls, making it essential for individuals to safeguard their personal information.
Google has taken steps to combat spam calls with AI-powered screening. The latest Call Screen, which utilizes improved AI, helps users receive 50% fewer spam calls on average. Google encourages countries to adopt the STIR/SHAKEN protocol to reduce spam calls effectively.
In the ongoing battle against phone scammers, individuals must remain vigilant, employ available defense strategies, and report suspicious activity to protect themselves and others from falling victim to these evolving scams.
