How Are Hackers Using AI Against You? Understanding Today's Tech Scams

Is that my grandchild's voice on the phone asking for help? Or is my bank calling about a problem?" Thanks to artificial intelligence, today's fraudsters are armed with sophisticated tools that can clone voices, create convincing deepfakes, and craft personalized messages that look legitimate. But don't panic – while the threats evolve, so are our defenses. In our recent webinar, “The Rise of AI-Driven Scams How Hackers Use Technology Against You,” hosted by Franklin Templeton and GetSetUp, Guest Speaker Anubhav shared practical solutions and actionable strategies to protect yourself and your finances in this new era of digital deception.

Guest Speaker Anubhav is a seasoned IT professional with nearly three decades of global industry experience. His career spans multiple countries, and he has successfully ventured into entrepreneurship over the past decade. From 2015 to 2019, he owned and operated a cybersecurity training business. Anubhav is a mentor and consultant to various startups, leveraging his extensive experience to guide emerging businesses.

‍Key Highlights from the Webinar:

🤖 AI-Powered Scam Evolution: Artificial Intelligence has revolutionized scamming techniques, making them increasingly sophisticated and harder to detect. Scammers now employ AI to generate convincing voice clones that can mimic family members or colleagues and create deepfake videos that appear remarkably authentic.

🎭 The New Face of Digital Impersonation: Modern AI tools allow criminals to create detailed digital personas by analyzing social media profiles, professional networks, and public data. They can accurately mimic writing styles, reference events, and relationships, and even replicate voice patterns. This advanced impersonation makes traditional red flags less obvious and requires heightened vigilance from potential targets.

🎣 The Evolution of Phishing: Today’s phishing attempts go far beyond obvious spelling errors and generic greetings. Scammers use AI to craft personalized messages that mirror legitimate communication from banks, employers, or government agencies. These messages often include accurate details about your recent activities, making them particularly convincing. Always verify unexpected requests through official channels, even if the message appears genuine.

🙅🏻‍♀️ Protecting Your Sensitive Information: Never share sensitive details like passwords, banking information, or personal identification numbers in response to unexpected calls, texts, or emails - regardless of how urgent or official they seem. Legitimate organizations won't pressure you to act immediately or demand sensitive information through unsecured channels. Take time to verify requests independently using official contact information, not the details provided in the suspicious communication.

🤔 Trust Your Digital Instincts: If something feels off about an interaction, pay attention to that feeling. Watch for pressure tactics, unusual urgency, or requests that don't align with standard procedures. Be especially cautious of:

• Unexpected calls about financial matters
• Messages claiming your accounts are compromised
• Requests to install remote access software
• Unusual payment methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency
• Opportunities that seem too good to be true

Make cybersecurity awareness a part of your daily routine. The key isn't to fear technology but to engage with it wisely, just as you would lock your doors at night or protect your physical valuables. Share this knowledge with friends, family, and colleagues—particularly those who might be more vulnerable to sophisticated scams. Remember: in the digital age, security is not just an individual responsibility but a collective effort to create a safer online environment for everyone.

This webinar is brought to you by Franklin Templeton. For more such classes on investing, mutual funds, and more, download our app from the Google Play store or connect with our team on WhatsApp.