Shielding Your Phone From AI Scams: A Guide To Safeguarding Your Information

The ongoing advancement in the arena of artificial intelligence (AI) and its supplementary technologies has revolutionised many aspects of our life - whether it is quick content generation, personalised recommendations, and automation of mundane tasks. However, the threats that come with this growth of AI are also growing at the same pace. AI-powered scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and users need to be stay more vigilant in order to protect their personal information and their finances.

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How to spot red flags of AI scams

• 1. Unsolicited calls and messages: Scammers often utilise the capabilities of AI to generate voice recordings that closely resemble the voices of legitimate representatives from banks, government agencies, or other reputable organisations - and even your own family members. Be wary of unexpected calls or messages that claim to be from these entities, especially if they request personal information or urge you to take immediate action.
• 2. Urgent requests and pressure tactics: Scammers often put pressure and employ a sense of urgency to manipulate their victims into acting impulsively, whether it is to give away a single-use code or transferring money. They may claim that your account has been compromised, that you owe a debt, or that you need to take immediate action to prevent further harm to your bank account. Always remember that banks do not call customers asking for one-time passwords or taking measures against threats.
• 3. Suspicious links and attachments: Scammers often send links or attachments that appear to be from legitimate sources but are actually loaded with malicious content. The best way to avoid installing a malware on your device is by avoiding unfamiliar links and refraining from opening attachments, especially if they emanate from unknown sources.
• 4. Offers that feel too good to be true: As the saying goes, if something sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. Scammers will often use AI tools to generate personalised offers that seem enticing but are ultimately designed to scam users. You will end up revealing your personal information or making payments to scammers.

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How to protect yourself from AI scams

• 1. Verify contact information of callers: Before engaging in any conversation with someone claiming to represent an organisation, especially if it's related to money or a job, ask them to provide some sort of proof of identification. If they're unable to produce it, consider it a red flag. In addition, you can use a caller ID app to see if they're who they claim to be. You may also head to the organisation's website to check if they're employed with them.
• 2. Don't share personal information: Your bank account details, credit card information, or one-time passwords are for your use only. Never reveal them to anybody, even if they claim to be from your bank. You don't have to entertain such requests, simply hang up and block them.
• 3. Stay wary of phishing attempts: Phishing emails and messages contain links that redirect you to fake websites that closely resemble legitimate ones. At this point, they ask you to input your personal or financial information. It's important to hover over links to see if they actually represent your bank or an organisation. You can also simply have a malware blocker extension on your browser to protect against such links.
• 4. Install antivirus and anti-malware software: Keep your phone's security software up to date to protect against malware and other threats that could compromise your device and personal information. You can also install third-party antivirus apps from reputable companies to keep your personal and financial information safe.

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To stay safe from artificial intelligence (AI) scams, you need to practice a combination of awareness, caution, and proactive measures. In case something feels suspicious, make sure you verify the same with available resources. Often, all it takes is a simple Google search. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com and click here for our how-to guides.