In this vlog, Litherland, Kennedy & Associates Attorney Justin M. Kennedy discusses the latest news on artificial intelligence-enabled voice cloning tools, how scammers are using this technology to defraud victims of billions of dollars, and an easy step you can implement to protect yourself from the latest scams.
Transcript:
Hello, I’m attorney Justin M. Kennedy with Litherland, Kennedy and Associates, a California estate planning and elder care law firm.
In 2023 I provided a warning about scammers using voice cloning to target older adults, and unfortunately, the scammer’s tools are getting more and more sophisticated, so I wanted to provide you with an update and additional warning.
Artificial intelligence-enabled voice cloning tools have made it easier for criminals to mimic voices – maybe a child or grandchild or other loved one posted videos of themselves to YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok. Scammers can train an AI voice clone on such a video and create an AI voice clone that talks just like the loved one. The AI voice cloning software is getting so powerful that it can make a voice clone from less than a minute of video samples.
These scammers are then using the voice clone to target victims posing as the loved one and claiming a great need for immediate cash. Maybe the fake loved one will claim that they are experiencing a medical emergency, or they have run into issues with the law. No matter the claim, the pressure is always elevated trying to show an immediate need for the cash or else bad consequences will result. The scammer is trying to trigger a fear-based response from the target, because when the target is afraid for their loved one’s well-being, the target is more susceptible to being taken advantage of.
This is made worse when phone numbers can also be spoofed by the scammers so that really does look like the loved one is calling.
According to FBI data, in 2023 older adults were the victims of such scams to a cost of approximately $3.4 billion dollars.
In my previous video, I recommended creating a safe word to use with loved ones before sending money, now the recommendation has evolved to using a safe phrase consisting of 4 or more words. Then before you send any money, you require the loved one to tell you the safe phrase.
When creating a safe phrase, please do not use obvious identifiers, such as a street name, city, phone number or family or pet name. You want to use a safe phrase that is not easily guessed.
Scammers have also trained the AI voice clones that when a safe word or safe phrase is requested, to respond with a stress filled answer, such as: “I am in the hospital and so distraught that I can’t remember our safe phrase.” Please do not send money without hearing the safe phrase from the loved one.
At Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, we try to keep our clients informed about new developments, whether that is updates in the law, or new risks that may impact you or your loved ones.
We hope that you found this informative. Thank you.
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