ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / NEWS

Scammers Use 'Voice Clone' to Dupe Elderly in 'Grandparent Scam' | "It Sounds Just Like You, but It's Not You"

Scammers are primarily targeting the less tech-savvy demographic, mostly the elderly, who are unaware of such technology.
UPDATED AUG 24, 2023
Cover Image Source: Pexels | Cottonbro Studio
Cover Image Source: Pexels | Cottonbro Studio

Scammers are now using advanced technology to scam unsuspecting citizens into paying them money and revealing personal details. The latest string of scams involves con artists using Artificial Intelligence technology to mimic the voices and/or facial features of people to trick their family and loved ones. "It looks just like you. It sounds just like you, but it's not you," tech expert Craig Agranoff told CBS12.

Image Source: Marcus Aurelius/Pexels
Image Source: Marcus Aurelius/Pexels

Scammers are primarily targeting the less tech-savvy demographic who are unaware of such technology. The target demographic mostly includes older people, thus, it's called the 'Grandparent Scam.' The scam was reported by Attorney General Ashley Moody who announced the Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit for Florida earlier this month.



 


What is the 'Grandparent Scam'?

Attorney General Ashley Moody also launched a new Summer Scams Series called Tech Traps to spread awareness of how fraudsters use technology to fool people. The first feature in the series is the ‘Grandparent’ scam, which involves imposters who claim that they have kidnapped a family member like their grandchild or any other loved one. Scammers use sophisticated algorithms and voice-synthesis technology to mimic human voices to fool people into believing a phone call is from a known individual or a loved one. Using the new technology, the scammer pretends to have kidnapped a family member in an attempt to coerce them to give ransom money.



 

Apart from grandparents, people are also getting scammed on dating scams through catfishing scams as well, according to Agranoff. Over 42,000 Floridians lost a combined total of more than $844 million in 2022 to cybercrime, as per the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. To help people get justice and spread awareness against such scams, Attorney General Ashley Moody established the Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit for the state of Florida. On the portal, citizens are warned about new scams which target people using technology.

Scammers are using Smart TVs 

Another new scam shown on the website portal of the unit involves the use of Smart TVs to fool people. The scammers show pop-up messages on the victim’s smart TV and try to gain remote access to the device once the user clicks on them. Then they steal personal or financial information stored in the online account on the device. The scheme usually starts with a pop-up appearing on a smart TV, which has instructions to call tech support or to visit a website to fix an issue with their smart TV. As soon as the users click on these links, malware is downloaded in the system or they are asked to pay a fake fee or even give up personal information.



 


How to be safe from such scams?

Even though scammers are using advanced technologies to fool people, there are ways to stay protected from such fraud. One way to ensure safety is to double-check the information given by the scammers. Asking personal questions that only the supposed loved ones could answer is another way to verify their identity. Further, people should be wary of any urgent requests, especially when money is involved.

Image Source: Pixabay
Image Source: Pixabay

For victims of cyber fraud, the Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit recommends:

1. Securing devices and changing all passwords

2. Collecting and preserving evidence by taking screenshots

3. Immediately report the crime to FDLE’s Computer Crime Center

4. Notifying the bank and credit card company and monitor accounts to check for identity theft

5. Updating all antivirus, firewall, and security software.

The Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit is a team of criminal and civil attorneys who work with Florida Department of Law Enforcement analysts and other law enforcement agencies. The unit is already working with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and law enforcement on cybercrime investigations across the state to help victims of cybercrime get justice and spread awareness on how to be safe from fraud and prevent cybercrime.

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
While all the Sharks were out, Mark Cuban saw the potential in "Garage Celebrations."
6 hours ago
The loss was ironic as the retired teacher coulnd't get a phrase commonly used in classrooms.
8 hours ago
The recalls were issued for a range of products including tires, air conditioners and power banks.
9 hours ago
The guest who got the item as a gift from a neighbor had little to no idea about its significance.
11 hours ago
Harrison got a good deal for the fossil although it wasn't what he had thought.
1 day ago
The player, Beth Barbee left everyone in the dust with her impressive puzzle solving skills.
1 day ago
Given her celebrity status, Harrison cut her some slack in the negotiations.
1 day ago
The deal ultimately fell apart as the seller, Scotty was looking to get $375,000.
2 days ago
The guest was blown away by the six-figure appraisal for his father's John Falter illustration.
2 days ago
Harvey just couldn't believe that the contestant could come up with an answer like that.
3 days ago
Antoinette's win was even more special because she needed a car more than anything at that point.
3 days ago
The player, Catrice Sandt, nearly blew the Bonus Round puzzle by saying too many words in the end.
4 days ago
The co-founders of Nature's Wild Berry left the Sharks in shock with their miraculous product.
4 days ago
The contestant named Whitney could barely control her emotions as she celebrated with Ryan Seacrest.
4 days ago
The player named Kathy Young missed out on the Showcase Showdown as she had to leave.
5 days ago
Harrison closed a mega deal by scooping up three post cards for the price of one.
5 days ago
The guest who brought his father's prized possesion, had already made up his mind.
5 days ago
Harvey got a genius solution to avoid asking an awkward question to Carson Kressley's family member.
6 days ago
The player could barely control her excitement as she had a near-perfect game on the show.
6 days ago
Harrison knew it was too good of a collection to let go, and he decided to raise the stakes.
7 days ago