A Nebraska family caught this crazy scene on their SimpliSafe home cam last year — I’ve never seen anything like it. Thankfully, no one was injured. Be very careful this Fourth of July!
Hackers hope you miss this phone scam warning
You’ve heard the stories … A CEO conned out of $233,000 when someone copied the voice of his parent company’s boss. A 75-year-old woman who nearly lost $27,500, thinking her grandson was in trouble.
With as little as $4, anyone can copy a voice with super-cheap, super-powerful AI software. I’ve got the inside scoop on tricks these scammers use.
5 popular tactics
In the age of TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn and YouTube, where we broadcast our lives (and voices) to the world, scammers are having a field day.
They’re extracting voice samples, feeding them into their AI machines and producing chillingly accurate voice clones. With that, the stage is set for a scam that’s as emotionally brutal as it is ingenious.
🛑 Here’s a rundown of popular scams so you can spot this crap before you get taken:
- Kids’ summer camp upset: There’s been a gas leak and they need to evacuate immediately. The camp counselor wants you to pay for a hotel room and bus ride for your child.
- Charity request: A voice you’ve definitely heard on TV called you, looking for cash to help disaster victims. What’s your credit card number?
- Neighbor needs help: She’s crying that your dog was hit by a car and she took him to the vet. You’ll pay the bill now, right?
- Auto parts emergency: Your trusty mechanic calls with bad news: Don’t drive your car, because there’s been a major recall and you need to buy the parts now!
- Help me now: It’s someone you know and they’re in jail/selling an heirloom/diagnosed with a terminal illness. You’ll help out, won’t you?
These are just a few examples. There are thousands more where these came from.
Your plan of action
Before you consider selling the family silver or clearing your savings account, let’s talk strategy. You need to know about this now, before something scary happens, so you’re prepared.
- Check the caller ID: If the call’s coming from a number you don’t recognize or, even worse, a blocked or hidden number, that’s a big red flag. Even if it sounds like your kiddo or mom on the other end, hang up, then dial them on their cell.
- Verify with video: In high-profile cons like those involving a business, scammers have used AI video, too. But most low-budget cons won’t go that far.
- Buy time: If the voice on the other end claims they’re in a jam — say, an accident or they’ve been detained — tell them you’ll help but want to check things out first. Immediately try to reach that person through other means or contact someone who might know their whereabouts.
- Money talks: If someone’s demanding a wire transfer or bitcoin payment, your scam alert should be blaring. Authentic emergencies don’t come with specific, shady payment demands.
🎤 I promise, people fall for this stuff every day. Take care of the folks in your life by sharing this story using the links below. It could save someone’s financial future.
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