AI – Voice cloning ‘Hi mum and dad’
Fraudsters can use a voice recording of someone to make them say anything that they want them to. There is a possibility that criminals can use the voice of a person you know to create a more believable version of the ‘Hi mum and dad’ scam on WhatsApp. Normally, victims receive calls out of the blue from a loved one in distress who eventually needs them to transfer money for some made up emergency.
How to spot these types of fraud
- If the caller asks you to transfer money urgently – Stop, Think, Fraud
- The caller will likely not say much – perhaps they will say something short like ‘please help me’.
- Ask the caller for as much detail as possible, as only the real person will know these.
- You may be asked to make a payment using gift cards or cryptocurrencies, as these are typical of scams.
- Listen for unusual background noises and unexpected changes in the tone of the caller that indicate you are not having a real time conversation with a person. Listen out for unusual pauses.
If you think that you may have been a victim of this or any other type of fraud, then contact your Bank immediately.
If you have been a victim and lost money, call 101 and report it to Humberside Police.
Visit fraudwatch.org.uk for more information about fraud and where to get support.
You can also sign up to receive future alerts at alerts.fraudwatch.org.uk.