A study published by Social Catfish, an online dating investigation firm has provided tips on how people can protect themselves from online scams, especially those involving advanced technology like AI deepfake videos and voice cloning.
This follows the company’s revelation in its report titled State of Internet Scams 2023 which stated that America’s youths lost a record $210 million to online scams last year, up by 2,500% since 2017 – the largest increase of any age group.
The report outlines common online scam techniques, including phishing, botnets, VoIP, and malware. It also pointed out the growing threat of AI deepfake videos and voice cloning in scams.
These deceptive methods impersonate trusted individuals, like family members or CEOs, to solicit sensitive information, leading to financial loss or identity theft.
To avoid falling victim to such scams, the report provides the following tips:
1. Exercise caution with unsolicited requests, especially those requesting personal or financial information.
2. Be mindful of the personal information shared online, reducing the potential for scammers to exploit it.
3. Implement two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security on online accounts.
4. Stay informed about AI scam trends by following trustworthy cybersecurity sources.
5. Verify the authenticity of media content, cross-referencing with credible sources.
6. Report suspicious activities to relevant authorities to protect others from falling prey.
Furthermore, the report highlights five election-related scams, including phishing emails, fake fundraising campaigns, voter registration scams, disinformation campaigns, and robocalls. Each scam comes with avoidance strategies emphasizing verification and caution.
Five general tips to avoid online scams in 2023 are also provided:
1. Refrain from giving money to unfamiliar individuals.
2. Avoid sharing personal information with strangers.
3. Use reverse searches to verify the identities of online contacts.
4. Watch for red flags like poor grammar, reluctance to video chat, military or overseas claims, and requests for gift cards or cryptocurrency.
5. Enhance security by using a password manager to create unique passwords for online accounts.
The full report can be read here.
Nurudeen Akewushola is a fact-checker with FactCheckHub. He has authored several fact checks which have contributed to the fight against information disorder. You can reach him via [email protected] and @NurudeenAkewus1 via Twitter.
