Elaborate financial scams have been an object of weariness long before the days of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.). Back in the early days of email, you might have heard that your never-before heard cousin from some country in Africa or Europe had passed away, leaving you with all of their vast wealth in your name – all they need is your bank account information and they’ll set you up.

Most people who spend even a little time on the internet are aware of the blatant scams of this variety and know not to click on those ‘enticing’ links they send you. This public knowledge of what is real and what is not has been tested continuously since the rise of A.I. in all forms of media, including news, photographs, and even voices.

With the advanced tools of great persuasion, thieves and scammers have the possibility of gaining an even greater, scarier foothold in the world of convincing you that you should give them money – A.I. voice recreation. 

Although unlikely, and difficult enough to find voice clippings to perfectly recreate a loved one’s voice, it should not be discounted that this is a possibility in the world of advanced A.I. 

While it is good to trust, be cautious when answering suspect phone calls and emails. If necessary, remember to ask questions that shed light on the truth of the situation. Anyone can be a victim of scams, so always be sure to keep yours and your loved one’s personal information safe. Keep safety at the forefront of your mind when online.

You can never be too safe when it comes to avoiding fraudulent activity. Double-check everything, if something seems fishy, it probably is. Don’t fall for the bait.

Those that find themselves victims of fraudulent activity and scams can find valuable resources from the New York State Attorney General’s Office, as well as the New York State Protection Bureau. Being familair with these resources before you need them would also be a smart idea, as being aware is the first step in combating fraud.

Be safe out there, and practice online safety as well as personal safety.