| "Technology Puts New Twist on Old Scams: Voice Clones Now Used to Target Loved Ones" The days of worries that a loved one may become a victim of scam are increasing as criminals use new technologies to become more convincing. Voice cloning is the latest development criminals are utilizing to target the most vulnerable; those with a close relationship to the victim. Voice cloning is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool developed to create convincing replicas of someone’s voice. It works by getting the user to record a few phrases which are then used to create a digital copy of the person’s voice. Criminals are now using this tool to impersonate voices of loved ones, making it more difficult for victims to recognize a scam. The FBI’s internet crime center has seen a steady increase in reports of scammers using AI technologies such as voice cloning. These criminals typically target people who are most likely to be emotionally manipulated, such as the elderly, or those with a close relationship to the victim. While voice cloning is still a relatively new technology, the FBI recommends staying vigilant and keeping loved ones informed of any potential scams. Taking extra precautions, such as confirming the identity of a caller before responding, can help prevent falling victim to a voice cloned scam. |