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The FBI is issuing a warning that criminals are increasingly using generative AI technologies, particularly deepfakes, to exploit unsuspecting individuals. This alert serves as a reminder of the growing sophistication and accessibility of these technologies and the urgent need for vigilance in protecting ourselves from potential scams. Let’s explore what deepfakes are, how they’re being used by criminals and what steps you can take to safeguard your personal information.

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FBI building in D.C. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

The rise of deepfake technology

Deepfakes refer to AI-generated content that can convincingly mimic real people, including their voices, images and videos. Criminals are using these techniques to impersonate individuals, often in crisis situations. For instance, they might generate audio clips that sound like a loved one asking for urgent financial assistance or even create real-time video calls that appear to involve company executives or law enforcement officials. The FBI has identified 17 common techniques used by criminals to create these deceptive materials.

Image of AI illustration (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Key tactics used by criminals

The FBI has identified 17 common techniques that criminals are using to exploit generative AI technologies, particularly deepfakes, for fraudulent activities. Here is a comprehensive list of these techniques.

1) Voice cloning: Generating audio clips that mimic the voice of a family member or other trusted individuals to manipulate victims.

2) Real-time video calls: Creating fake video interactions that appear to involve authority figures, such as law enforcement or corporate executives.

3) Social engineering: Utilizing emotional appeals to manipulate victims into revealing personal information or transferring funds.

4) AI-generated text: Crafting realistic written messages for phishing attacks and social engineering schemes, making them appear credible.

5) AI-generated images: Using synthetic images to create believable profiles on social media or fraudulent websites.

6) AI-generated videos: Producing convincing videos that can be used in scams, including investment frauds or impersonation schemes.

7) Creating fake social media profiles: Establishing fraudulent accounts that use AI-generated content to deceive others.

8) Phishing emails: Sending emails that appear legitimate but are crafted using AI to trick recipients into providing sensitive information.

9) Impersonation of public figures: Using deepfake technology to create videos or audio clips that mimic well-known personalities for scams.

10) Fake identification documents: Generating fraudulent IDs, such as driver’s licenses or credentials, for identity fraud and impersonation.

11) Investment fraud schemes: Deploying AI-generated materials to convince victims to invest in non-existent opportunities.

12) Ransom demands: Impersonating loved ones in distress to solicit ransom payments from victims.

13) Manipulating voice recognition systems: Using cloned voices to bypass security measures that rely on voice authentication.

14) Fake charity appeals: Creating deepfake content that solicits donations under false pretenses, often during crises.

15) Business email compromise: Crafting emails that appear to come from executives or trusted contacts to authorize fraudulent transactions.

16) Creating misinformation campaigns: Utilizing deepfake videos as part of broader disinformation efforts, particularly around significant events like elections.

17) Exploiting crisis situations: Generating urgent requests for help or money during emergencies, leveraging emotional manipulation.

Image of AI illustration (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

These tactics highlight the increasing sophistication of fraud schemes facilitated by generative AI and the importance of vigilance in protecting personal information.

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Tips for protecting yourself from deepfakes

Implementing the following strategies can enhance your security and awareness against deepfake-related fraud.

1) Limit your online presence: Reduce the amount of personal information, especially high-quality images and videos, available on social media by adjusting privacy settings.

2) Invest in personal data removal services: The less information is out there, the harder it is for someone to create a deepfake of you. While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.

3) Avoid sharing sensitive information: Never disclose personal details or financial information to strangers online or over the phone.

4) Stay vigilant with new connections: Be cautious when accepting new friends or connections on social media; verify their authenticity before engaging.

5) Check privacy settings on social media: Ensure that your profiles are set to private and that you only accept friend requests from trusted individuals. Here’s how to switch any social media accounts, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and any others you may use, to private.

6) Use two-factor authentication (2FA): Implement 2FA on your accounts to add an extra layer of security against unauthorized access.

7) Verify callers: If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and independently verify the caller’s identity by contacting their organization through official channels.

8) Watermark your media: When sharing photos or videos online, consider using digital watermarks to deter unauthorized use.

9) Monitor your accounts regularly: Keep an eye on your financial and online accounts for any unusual activity that could indicate fraud.

10) Use strong and unique passwords: Employ different passwords for various accounts to prevent a single breach from compromising multiple services. Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords.

11) Regularly backup your data: Maintain backups of important data to protect against ransomware attacks and ensure recovery in case of data loss.

12) Create a secret verification phrase: Establish a unique word or phrase with family and friends to verify identities during unexpected communications.

13) Be aware of visual imperfections: Look for subtle flaws in images or videos, such as distorted features or unnatural movements, which may indicate manipulation.

14) Listen for anomalies in voice: Pay attention to the tone, pitch and choice of words in audio clips. AI-generated voices may sound unnatural or robotic.

15) Don’t click on links or download attachments from suspicious sources: Be cautious when receiving emails, direct messages, texts, phone calls or other digital communications if the source is unknown. This is especially true if the message is demanding that you act fast, such as claiming your computer has been hacked or that you have won a prize. Deepfake creators attempt to manipulate your emotions, so you download malware or share personal information. Always think before you click.

The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

16) Be cautious with money transfers: Do not send money, gift cards or cryptocurrencies to people you do not know or have met only online or over the phone.

17) Report suspicious activity: If you suspect that you have been targeted by scammers or have fallen victim to a fraud scheme, report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. 

A woman typing on her laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

By following these tips, individuals can better protect themselves from the risks associated with deepfake technology and related scams.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

The increasing use of generative AI technologies, particularly deepfakes, by criminals highlights a pressing need for awareness and caution. As the FBI warns, these sophisticated tools enable fraudsters to impersonate individuals convincingly, making scams harder to detect and more believable than ever. It’s crucial for everyone to understand the tactics employed by these criminals and to take proactive steps to protect their personal information. By staying informed about the risks and implementing security measures, such as verifying identities and limiting online exposure, we can better safeguard ourselves against these emerging threats.

In what ways do you think businesses and governments should respond to the growing threat of AI-powered fraud? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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