‘The Scariest Thing I Have Ever Seen’: Cybersecurity Expert Calls Out Emerging Threat of AI Voice Cloning Scams

AI voice cloning scams are the newest growing threat to your identity, according to cybersecurity expert Scott Hermann.

“This is, without hesitation, the scariest thing I have ever seen,” said Hermann, the founder and CEO of IdentityIQ, a top-rated financial and identity theft protection company.

Hermann recently spoke with Fox News about the growing threat of AI voice cloning scams.

He said all scammers need is a 20-second clip of someone talking – usually downloaded from social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok – to clone the voice of a loved one or family member and use it to commit fraud.

With the AI voice clone, scammers can call you and try to trick you to perform certain actions, such as sending money or sharing personal information, while thinking you are speaking with someone you know and trust.

“All the way to the point that a mother can’t tell the difference between her own child and a machine,” Hermann said.

Maryland resident Gerry Scally experienced an AI voice cloning scam firsthand last month. He received a phone call from what sounded like his grandson, Noah, that stated he had been in a car accident and broken his nose.

However, Scally said the voice on the phone sounded slower than how Noah usually speaks. So, Scally hung up and called his son, who confirmed Noah was at school and not in a car accident.

Hermann said AI voice cloning scams are, unfortunately, working.

“The worst part of this is, every week we’re getting more calls, seeing more victims is because it’s effective,” he said.

Hermann said there are steps you can take to help protect yourself from AI voice-cloning scams.

Tips to Avoid AI Voice Cloning Scams

1. Protect Your Personal Information

Limit the amount of personal information you share online, especially on public platforms. Scammers often rely on publicly available data to gather audio samples for voice cloning. Regularly review your privacy settings on social media platforms and avoid oversharing personal details that could potentially be used against you.

IdentityIQ monitoring services protect you by scanning the internet and dark web for your personal information and alerting you in real-time, so you can take quick action.

2. Create a Family Password

It’s possible that you could receive a phone call from someone who seems to be a relative, but in reality, it’s a scammer trying to deceive you. To protect yourself from falling victim to this, it’s a good idea to create a “family password” known only to your family. This password can be a special and confidential word that acts as a verification code for authentic communications.

3. Educate Yourself

Stay informed about the latest AI voice cloning techniques and scams. Knowledge is your best defense. Follow reputable technology news sources and stay updated on emerging trends and potential risks associated with voice cloning technology.

4. Use Multi-Factor Authentication

Whenever possible, you should enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your accounts. MFA provides an added security layer by requiring extra verification, like a code sent to your phone, along with your password. This can help prevent unauthorized access, even if scammers manage to clone your voice.

AI voice cloning scams present a new and scary threat. Protect your personal information and stay one step ahead of even the latest scams with IdentityIQ identity theft protection services. With features like credit monitoring, dark web scanning, real-time alerts, and identity theft insurance, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your information is in safe hands.