SCAM ALERT: New technology creates fake voicemails

by Roxanne Gass, Investigative Data Producer|
Secure accounts: Set up multi-factor authentication for email logins and other changes in email settings. Be sure to verify changes in information about customers, employees, or vendors. (Photo: MGN Online)<p>{/p}
It may start as a simple voicemail from a loved one or even your boss saying they need you to wire money. You transfer the cash, only to find out the voicemail was fake.
New software is allowing con artists to take just a few words from a small audio sample to mimic someone's voice. Scammers then use that technology to create voicemail messages to convince you to send them money.
Businesses may be among the first to be targeted, but it likely won't stop there. The technology could also be used for emergency scams, which prey on people's willingness to send money to a friend or relative in need. Also, with the U.S. now in the middle of the 2020 election season, the technology could be used to copy candidates voices and drum up donations.
Jason Meza with Better Business Bureau says there are a couple of things you can to do to protect yourself.
"If you get a voicemail you might want to pick up the phone and call the person directly or wait for instruction in person to verify that the call really came from them, especially if it was a very important voicemail."
How to Avoid a Business Compromise Scam:
  • Secure accounts: Set up multifactor authentication for email logins and other changes in email settings. Be sure to verify changes in information about customers, employees, or vendors.
  • Train staff: Create a secure culture at your office by training employees on internet security. Make it a policy to confirm all change and payment requests before making a transfer. Don’t rely on email or voicemail.
Even though this is a growing problem, there are some good and legitimate uses for the technology as well, a group of experts told the Federal Trade Commission during a workshop on voice cloning back in January.
If you’ve been the victim of a scam, you are asked to report it at BBB.org/ScamTracker. Your report can help expose scammers’ tactics and prevent others from having a similar experience.

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