One word can protect against phone scammers using AI in Lithuania

Fraudsters in Lithuania are becoming more sophisticated, with a notable increase in scams and the alarming adoption of artificial intelligence to deceive victims. In the second quarter of this year alone, authorities recorded 3,718 fraud cases, a 14% rise from the previous quarter. These criminals attempted to swindle individuals and businesses out of more than 13.1 million euros, with actual losses reaching nearly 5 million euros.

While deceptive SMS messages and emails still constitute a significant portion of these incidents, phone scams are identified as particularly perilous. Darius Povilaitis, a cybersecurity expert at Telia, highlighted that criminals are now leveraging AI-powered voice-cloning technology. Previously, tell-tale signs like accents or unusual speech patterns could raise suspicion. However, AI can now replicate a person's voice from mere seconds of audio, often sourced from public social media videos or old phone calls.

These AI-generated voices can mimic speaking styles, intonation, and even emotional nuances, making it seem as though the victim is speaking with a loved one. Povilaitis advises that such calls often create a sense of urgency and play on emotions, for instance, by claiming a relative is in trouble and needs money immediately. Unusual pauses, unnatural speech, or evasiveness when asked personal questions can also be red flags.

To combat this growing threat, Povilaitis recommends a simple yet effective security measure: families should agree on a secret password or a unique question that only they would know. This serves as a quick verification tool. If a suspicious call requests urgent money transfers or unusual actions, the recipient should ask for the agreed-upon password. A genuine family member would know it, while a scammer or AI impersonator likely would not. This strategy is particularly crucial for the elderly, who are often targeted by emotionally manipulative scams.