What Is a Deepfake Scam?
Fraudsters are getting craftier with technology, especially thanks to recent advancements in Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI). One particularly convincing type of scam leverages deepfakes to gain your trust.
What’s a Deepfake?
Deepfakes are like digital chameleons. They use GenAI to create fake content—whether it’s text, images, audio, or even videos—that appears shockingly real. Imagine someone impersonating your trusted friend or family member, using their voice and appearance to deceive you.
How Does the Scam Work?
- Gathering the Pieces: The scammer collects images and audio clips of the person they want to impersonate. These pieces come from the internet or other sources.
- Stitching It Together: Using AI technology, the scammer combines these fragments to create a convincing deepfake.
- The Trap: The scammer uses the deepfake to trick victims into revealing sensitive information or sending money. It’s especially effective when the victim trusts the person they see or hear.
Spotting Deepfakes:
- Facial Oddities: Watch out for incorrectly positioned or oddly moving facial features.
- Blurry Details: If hair and skin look fuzzy or unnatural, it might be a deepfake.
- Audio Mismatch: When the audio doesn’t sync with the video, be suspicious.
- Weird Lighting: Unnatural lighting could be a red flag.
- Lack of Natural Movement: Real people blink, shift, and move. Deepfakes might lack these natural cues.
- Strange Requests: If someone asks for unusual things, double-check their identity.
Protect Yourself:
Always use a secure internet connection for browsing, shopping, and socializing. It’s a crucial step to minimize your exposure to deepfakes and the scams they bring.