Phone scam uses AI to clone victim’s voices

[Dave]

Unfortunately we have seen an increase in phone scams using AI (Artificial Intelligence) to target older people.

According to new evidence from National Trading Standards, criminals are using AI to clone people's voices and set up unauthorised direct debits over the phone. The advanced voice cloning is part of an organised criminal operation that collects people's personal data to target victims with a wave of scam and nuisance calls.

The process begins with a so-called 'lifestyle survey' phone call – seemingly harmless, but in fact designed to gather detailed personal, health and financial information. The criminals use this data to develop AI-generated voice clones used to simulate consent for direct debits, deceiving even legitimate businesses and banks. These details appear then to be passed or sold to other criminals who, with the details, can set up payments without the victim's knowledge. Victims often do not realise payments are being taken.

How can I protect myself from scam calls?

There are things you can do to protect yourself from scams:

Say no: Ignore a caller that asks you for personal information, such as your PIN, or tells you that your computer has a virus. A genuine organisation will never ask you for these details over the phone, in an email or in writing.
Call the company: If you get a phone call or text from an organisation asking you for personal information or to click a link, do not give any personal information to them or click on any links. Contact the company directly using a known email or phone number to check the call/text is legitimate.

Never click a link in a text message.

Check your bank statements regularly and report any suspicious activity.
Check the phone line: Scammers can keep your phone line open even after you've hung up. Use a different phone, call someone you know first to check the line is free, or wait at least 10 to 15 minutes between calls to make sure that any scammers have hung up.
Use an answerphone: You can use an answerphone on your landline or voicemail on your mobile to screen your calls.
Get a caller ID device to see who's calling: But be aware that some scammers appear as a legitimate number, for example, your bank or utility company.
Try call blocking: Some phones have call-blocking features to stop unwanted calls. If yours doesn't, you can use a separate call blocker.
Cut the cold calls: Join the free Telephone Preference Service. This should cut some of the number of cold calls you receive.
How to report potential scams

Report suspicious texts you have received by forwarding the message to 7726, which spells SPAM on your keypad.
Report suspicious emails you have received by forwarding them to report@phishing.gov.uk
If you, or anyone you know, have been affected by this fraud or any other scam, report it to Report Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, visiting reportfraud.police.uk or contacting the council by emailing tradingstandards@royalgreenwich.gov.uk.

[Lee]

Apple phones came up with a good idea recently, a call screening option.
If you get a call from an unknown number it asks them to confirm reason for calling before your phone rings.
Scammers don't tend to hang around if you complicate it.
Still allows calls from people in your address book.

Turned it on about a month ago and seems to work, after being inundated with scammers for weeks.
Not sure if it's blocked anyone who I should have spoken to? but calls from family have come through without problem so I'm happy 

[Dave]

Apple phones came up with a good idea recently, a call screening option.
If you get a call from an unknown number it asks them to confirm reason for calling before your phone rings.
Scammers don't tend to hang around if you complicate it.
Still allows calls from people in your address book.

Turned it on about a month ago and seems to work, after being inundated with scammers for weeks.
Not sure if it's blocked anyone who I should have spoken to? but calls from family have come through without problem so I'm happy 

Handy info for iPhone users, thanks Lee

[Camper6]

After awhile you can easily spot scams on your phone and you learn.

In Canada you know it's a scam when you get an email from the Government.

They simply do not do that.

Also my Samsung phone alerts when something looks like a scam or is suspicious.

[Dave]

After awhile you can easily spot scams on your phone and you learn.

In Canada you know it's a scam when you get an email from the Government.

They simply do not do that.

Also my Samsung phone alerts when something looks like a scam or is suspicious.

I have a Samsung too Camper and it does the same. I just can't get on with anything that starts with i 

[Lee]

Have a phone that starts with an i because every phone I've had has been a hand me down from the kids     
They like to have new latest stuff, I just need something that works.

The call screening thing still seems to be working OK, actually showed up a missed call this morning.
Phone did not ring, and I checked the phone number online and it was a reported scammer