Scammers are using voice cloning programmes to impersonate people and exploit the unsuspecting. Although it is getting harder to differentiate between what’s real and what’s ‘deepfake’, there are ways you can protect yourself.
If you get a call from what sounds to be like a friend or family member, and they are in need of money for some urgent reason, do not immediately trust the voice on the other end. Always be wary if they ask for money via wire transfers or other methods where it would be difficult to retrieve the funds.
Here’s how you can avoid falling victim to voice cloning scams
- Always verify the caller’s identity through a reliable means of communication. Try contacting the individual in question through their official phone number or another trusted family member.
- Avoid posting voice messages publicly and be wary of voice assistants and technologies capturing your voice
- Educate yourself and others around you about the dangers of voice cloning and other forms of social engineering attacks. Being aware helps you and your loved ones to stay vigilant and be better at detecting scamming red flags.
If you suspect you have been scammed, report it to the authorities, your bank or individuals who can help immediately.
Safe Banking Tip
Here’s a tip to stay safe during Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Always log out of your online banking website or mobile app when you’re through with your business. While most platforms are designed to automatically log you out of your account after a short period of inactivity, not signing out manually puts your account(s) at risk of being compromised.
