As tax season approaches, the emergence of AI voice telephone scams has raised significant concerns among financial experts and identity protection advocates. Michael Scheumack, chief innovation officer at IdentityIQ, an identity theft protection company, has provided insights into the potential risks posed by advanced AI technologies during this critical period for tax filers.
The sophistication of AI-driven voice cloning technology has increased dramatically, making it a key tool for fraudsters. Scheumack stated that this technology “is the scariest thing we have seen,” highlighting its alarming capability to impersonate trusted figures, such as accountants and financial advisors. This could lead to individuals being misled during tax season, a time when they typically rely on these professionals for guidance.
Fraudsters can easily exploit AI voice cloning by utilizing as little as a four-second audio clip sourced from online platforms. “Fraudsters can take a four-second clip found online and clone someone’s voice that a victim knows,” Scheumack elaborated. This capability poses a significant threat, allowing scammers to convincingly pose as trusted advisors and manipulate unsuspecting individuals into divulging sensitive personal information or making payments.
In addition to voice cloning, AI technology has enabled scammers to create convincing deepfake impersonations. “Using just a few seconds of existing videos or images, AI can replace someone’s face with another or even add facial expressions, movements, and audio that weren’t originally there,” Scheumack explained, indicating a broader spectrum of identity fraud possibilities that could emerge as this technology matures.
As tax season draws near, it is important for individuals to be cautious about potential scams. Scheumack pointed out common myths that fraudsters exploit, particularly their impersonation of the IRS. He noted that the IRS will never contact taxpayers by phone without prior written notification. Scammers often threaten individuals by claiming they owe taxes and demand immediate payment through unofficial channels, such as wire transfers or prepaid debit cards.
Phishing emails further complicate the landscape of identity theft during tax season. “Tax scammers create phishing emails to trick you into providing tax forms containing personal information,” Scheumack warned. These fraudulent emails typically appear to be from legitimate government agencies, like the IRS, and aim to extract sensitive information that can be used for identity theft.
To safeguard personal information this filing season, Scheumack advises consumers to limit the information they share online, particularly on public platforms, as such data can be exploited by scammers for voice cloning. Regularly reviewing privacy settings on social media and being mindful of oversharing can serve as protective measures against fraud.
Other recommended strategies to enhance identity protection include enabling multi-factor authentication on all personal accounts and establishing a “family password” — a confidential term that can be used as a verification code for secure communications among family members.
Staying informed about the latest techniques in AI voice cloning and the associated risks is crucial in this digital landscape. “Knowledge is your best defense,” Scheumack emphasized, suggesting that awareness can mitigate the risks tied to these evolving threats.
While the rise of AI voice cloning presents new challenges, individuals are encouraged to file their taxes early to allow for the implementation of protective strategies against potential fraud. As tax season unfolds, remaining vigilant could help taxpayers better navigate the complexities of identity protection in an age of advanced technology.
Source: Noah Wire Services