Did you know cybercriminals use voice cloning technology, such as AI speech software, to create voice recordings of celebrities, athletes, political figures, company employees, and even individuals’ friends and family members? All it may take to create a convincing impersonation is a short audio clip of the targeted person’s voice, pulled from a video posted to a social media platform. The technology uses AI tools that analyze millions of voices and spot patterns in elemental units of speech (called phonemes). A person simply types in what they want the targeted voice to say, and a deepfake audio can be made. In deepfake voice scams, cybercriminals call people and use AI-generated voice recordings to try and gain personal information or money. Here are examples of who’s being impersonated and why: • Recently deceased individuals to collect welfare checks and other funds • Company executives to fool the listener into providing a password or other sensitive information • Young family members supposedly in trouble—such as in jail and needing bail—to get grandparents to send money • Famous music artists to sell fake audio clips online • Famous actors to use their “voice” to hawk products in commercials Because AI-generated recordings sound realistic, it can be hard for people to realize they’re being scammed. The FTC recommends you follow these tips to avoid becoming a victim: • Don't answer calls from unknown numbers. • Never give out personal information such as account numbers or Social Security numbers in response to unexpected calls. • Be suspicious if a caller is pressuring you for information or money immediately. • If the caller claims to be a family member or friend in distress, hang up and reach out to that person directly to confirm they need help. • If you get a call from someone saying they represent a company or a government agency, hang up and call the phone number on your account statement or on the organization’s website to verify the authenticity of the request. Cybercriminals are adept at technology and deception. Your best defense is to stay informed. Deepfake Voice Scams Can Sound Convincing Community Is Our Middle Name Living and working in the same community as your internet service provider (ISP) may be even more beneficial than you realize. Panora Fiber offers many advantages over national competitors including these: • We know the community. As your local ISP, we’re deeply rooted here and have the connections, relationships, and local knowledge other companies simply do not have. We understand how to get things done efficiently. • We lend a hand to help. As a company and as individual employees, you’ll see Panora Fiber actively involved in the community through donations and volunteering. • We provide personal customer service. You’re not just a customer to us. You’re also a neighbor and someone our employees will run into at the grocery store or at community events. We genuinely care about you, your satisfaction, and your success. Panora Fiber is proud to be your local ISP and honored to serve you. To learn more about our community involvement, follow us on Facebook or visit panorafiber.com.
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