Starling Bank has revealed that fraudsters can now use AI to replicate a person's voice from just a few seconds of audio. This audio can be easily obtained from videos posted online. Once the voice is cloned, scammers can identify the person's friends and family members and use the AI-generated voice to stage phone calls, asking for money. According to Starling Bank, these scams have the potential to deceive millions.
The bank's concerns are not unfounded. A recent survey conducted by Starling Bank and Mortar Research involving over 3,000 adults found that more than a quarter of respondents had been targeted by an AI voice-cloning scam in the past year. Alarmingly, 46% of respondents were unaware that such scams existed, and 8% indicated they would send money if requested by a friend or family member, even if the call seemed suspicious.
"People regularly post content online which has recordings of their voice, without ever imagining it’s making them more vulnerable to fraudsters," said Lisa Grahame, Chief Information Security Officer at Starling Bank. This statement underscores the importance of being cautious about the content we share online.
To combat this growing threat, Starling Bank is encouraging people to agree on a "safe phrase" with their loved ones. This phrase should be simple, random, and easy to remember, serving as a means to verify identity over the phone. The bank advises against sharing the safe phrase via text, as this could make it easier for scammers to discover. If the phrase must be shared through text, the message should be deleted once the recipient has seen it.
As AI technology becomes increasingly adept at mimicking human voices, concerns are mounting about its potential to facilitate criminal activities, such as accessing bank accounts and spreading misinformation. Earlier this year, OpenAI, the creator of the generative AI chatbot ChatGPT, unveiled its voice replication tool, Voice Engine. However, the tool was not made available to the public due to concerns about the "potential for synthetic voice misuse."
The rise of AI voice-cloning scams is a stark reminder of the double-edged sword that is technological advancement. While AI has the potential to bring about significant benefits, it also poses new risks that must be managed. The key to mitigating these risks lies in awareness and proactive measures.
For individuals, this means being cautious about the content they share online and establishing secure methods of verifying identity with loved ones. For organizations, it means investing in robust security measures and educating their customers about potential threats.
In conclusion, the threat of AI voice-cloning scams is real and growing. By staying informed and taking proactive steps, we can protect ourselves and our loved ones from falling victim to these sophisticated scams.
