Scams have become one of those things that most of us now encounter regularly, whether it’s dodgy phone calls, texts or emails.
While we try to be careful, the unfortunate reality is that these tricksters are getting smarter, and technological advances such as artificial intelligence (AI) have paved the way for new deceptions like voice cloning.
Here are just a few insidious scams to keep an eye out for:
AI has seen sophisticated scams skyrocket.
(Credit: Getty)Types of scams:
AI voice scams
It might seem obvious that when we hear a robotic-sounding phone call to know it’s not legit, but with so many advancements in AI technology, it’s now possible to clone a voice in just three short seconds using sophisticated AI cloning algorithms.
Most worryingly, these criminals can clone the voices of loved ones, even our children.
In the US, parents are receiving fake kidnapping calls with a voice sounding exactly like their child saying they’re in trouble, followed by a demand for ransom money.
It’s something to watch out for as technology gets even more advanced.
Advice in the US is to have a spoken family codeword to use, or say that the line is not clear, then ask for the number to call back – if it’s a scam they won’t.
Romance scams
Scamwatch data revealed that a whopping $40 million was lost in 2022 by Australians due to romance scams.
At least half involved scammers with fake profiles contacting their victims via mobile apps and social networking platforms.
Then, after gaining trust by declaring their love, they asked for money to help with a “crisis”.
Another tactic is called romance-baiting, where scammers gain their victims’ trust before luring them into an investment scam.
The expert advice, according to Scamwatch? Find out if the person is real – have you been able to have a video chat with them or meet in person?
Be careful of moving a chat away from the app, and never give personal or financial details out.
Even the most careful among us can fall for these new scams.
(Credit: Getty)Loyalty Points scams
According to the National Anti-Scam Centre, there’s yet another con to look out for.
A text message scam is currently targeting Qantas Frequent Flyer, Telstra and Coles loyalty programs’ customers, following hundreds of reports lodged with Scamwatch this year.
The sneaky set-up sees an email or text message warn that loyalty points are soon to expire with a link to a fake website.
Customers then login and may be prompted to provide credit card details to use their loyalty points. Scammers then have access to their hard-earned points.
The latest advice from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC)? Never click on a link sent in an email or text message regarding a loyalty program.
Advanced bank impersonation scams
The ACCC estimates Australians lost over $3.1 billion to scammers in 2022, with one of the top culprits being bank impersonation scams where someone calls (or texts) with urgency pretending to be from your bank.
These have been around for a while but according to Scamwatch, new technology can now make the call appear to come from the bank’s legitimate phone number.
“It is critical to remember that no matter how legitimate the call or text message seems, a bank won’t ask you to urgently transfer funds”, says ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe.
Wi-Fi scams
Out and about and want access to wi-fi, or maybe heading overseas and keen to hook into that free airport Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi scams typically involve the creation of fake or compromised wireless networks that mimic legitimate hotspots.
Once connected, these malicious networks enable scammers to intercept personal and financial information.
To avoid getting scammed, never access your bank when on an unknown network, and if in doubt at all, always avoid connecting to an unsecured network even if it looks like it is from a renowned provider.
Three ways to protect yourself:
Use two-factor authentication: These days, it’s important to add an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step, such as a code sent to your mobile device, in addition to your password.
Invest in a password manager: Password managers generate passwords as well as monitor various accounts for security breaches. LastPass, for example, is an excellent and affordable cloud-based manager that you can trial for free.
Report it: After contacting your bank or card provider immediately to report a scam, take the time to also notify Scamwatch, and you can also make an official report to the police online.
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