Written by Terence Huang
The rapid growth of technology has positively impacted various aspects of our lives, both socially and financially. However, with the increasing prevalence of artificial intelligence, there has been a surge in financial frauds and cyber scams in the digitization of financial services. A survey of 500 fraud and risk professionals, conducted by ABC News, revealed a widespread concern in the financial industry about the growing scale of fake online customers; this raises concerns as the consistent effectiveness of security and identity detection technology at bank and loan services remains uncertain (Owen, 2023). The rise of financial fraud and cyber scams is a complicated issue that requires proactive and collaborative solutions.
Artificial intelligence and technology have facilitated the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals. For example, generative AI is the use of artificial intelligence tools capable of producing content, including text, audio, and video. Criminals who use generative AI can make scams faster and more sophisticated by making it easier to send out phishing messages, making it easier to create a trail of digital activity to seem like a real person while using a manufactured identity, or making it easier to duplicate someone else’s activity in order to impersonate them to trick yet other people and gather more sensitive information (Owen, 2023). Thomas Reuters has stated that, “As banking and payments security becomes increasingly advanced, fraudsters have shifted their focus to impersonation tactics… Their goal is to convince people and businesses to send them money, thinking the transfer is to a legitimate person or entity” (Owen, 2023). Furthermore, Kathy Stokes, AARP’s director of fraud prevention, noted that young people now fall victim to fraud more frequently than seniors, “AI is a problem for everyone, not just older adults, and versions of artificial intelligence have been part of fraud for a long time…But now this generative AI just really creates so much more sophistication to the way they target people” (Croll, 2023). The escalating sophistication of AI-powered financial scams poses a pervasive threat, impacting the many lives of individuals who are constantly engaged in the digital environment.
Additionally, AI voice deep fakes have been an emerging threat in the context of financial frauds. The NY Times article “Voice Deepfakes Are Coming for Your Bank Balance” highlights the escalating sophistication of technology capable of replicating and manipulating human voices with remarkable accuracy. The concern is that malicious actors could leverage these voice deepfakes to deceive individuals and businesses, posing a significant risk to financial accounts and transactions, “Customer data like bank account details that have been stolen by hackers — and are widely available on underground markets — help scammers pull off these attacks” (Flitter, 2023). The potential consequences include unauthorized access to sensitive information and the manipulation of financial data for fraudulent purposes. As these voice deep fakes become more convincing, there is a pressing need for heightened awareness and enhanced security measures. The article underscores the importance of developing advanced authentication methods to counteract the risks associated with this emerging technology. It suggests that a proactive approach, involving both individuals and financial institutions, is crucial to stay ahead of potential threats (Flitter, 2023). By recognizing the vulnerabilities introduced by voice deep fakes and implementing robust protective measures, the financial industry can better safeguard against unauthorized access and fraudulent activities. This ultimately ensures the security of individuals’ bank balances in an increasingly sophisticated digital landscape.
Cryptocurrency scams have become a growing concern in the digital landscape. These scams typically involve deceptive practices aimed at exploiting individuals’ lack of understanding about cryptocurrency. One common type of scam, as mentioned before, is phishing, where attackers often target information relating to online wallets. Scammers target crypto wallet private keys, which are required to access funds within the wallet (Kaspersky, 2023). Additionally, pump-and-dump schemes manipulate the value of a cryptocurrency by artificially inflating its price through false information. This involves a particular coin or token being hyped by fraudsters through an email blast or social media such as Twitter, Facebook, or Telegram (Kaspersky, 2023). Finally, an initial coin offering (ICO) serves as a method for start-up cryptocurrency firms to secure funding from potential users. Several ICOs have turned out to be fraudulent, with criminals going to elaborate lengths to deceive investors, such as renting fake offices and creating high-end marketing materials (Kaspersky, 2023). To protect against crypto scams, individuals should conduct thorough research before investing, use secure wallets, and stay informed about the latest scam tactics. One such example involves promises of guaranteed returns: any crypto offering that promises you will make a profit is a red flag. In today’s society, there are regulatory bodies and cryptocurrency platforms that play a crucial role in implementing measures to detect and prevent these scams, fostering a safer environment for digital asset transactions.
There are a few ways to prevent AI financial scams. First, financial institutions and businesses should implement advanced security systems capable of detecting unusual activities in transactions. They can also employ techniques such as fingerprint recognition and behavioral analysis for identity verification. In addition, it is important to keep computer programs up to date to fix any problems and stay ahead of scams. Governments should make strict rules and make sure people follow them to stop AI fraud. By educating the public about scams, it becomes crucial for people to recognize and report potential threats. Collaboration between the government and businesses, along with information sharing, is vital in the collective effort to combat these scams. Overall, through these measures, comprehensive strategies can be devised, such as incorporating new technology, regulations, and knowledge to safeguard against AI financial scams.
In conclusion, the future landscape of financial frauds and cyber scams appears poised for continued evolution, presenting both challenges and opportunities for individuals and businesses alike. As technology advances, so too do the tactics employed by malicious actors seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in digital systems. It is imperative for society to remain vigilant and proactive in adopting robust cybersecurity measures, fostering international collaboration, and implementing cutting-edge technologies to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals. While the threat of financial frauds and cyber scams may persist, a collective commitment to innovation, education, and cooperation can help create a more resilient and secure digital ecosystem for years to come.
Works Cited:
- Owen, Q. (n.d.). How AI can fuel Financial Scams online, according to industry experts. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/ai-fuel-financial-scams-online-industry-experts/story?id=103732051#:~:text=Generative%20AI%20tools%20can%20make,else%27s%20activity%20in%20order%20to
- Kroll, D. (n.d.). Ai is making Financial Scams harder to detect. Yahoo! Finance. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ai-is-making-financial-scams-harder-to-detect-164246411.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAJ9Lgc4gyvX9GISWNZowgNgFCGTlMre8ICFqixrdIYJQAzaXQ5HjFqwhnO-qQViyxx0eYJWnVodQ5hOfag7p5pj8U7ehPQgeByZ6Zh4ds4DqKy8WuhKB8cJZzHziQ2dNABkx6LOucD-zgeiuotd19OSVSd1CBfW09G7IV0eg4SHf&guccounter=2
- Flitter, E., & Cowley, S. (2023, August 30). Voice Deepfakes are coming for your Bank balance. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/30/business/voice-deepfakes-bank-scams.html
- Kaspersky. (2023, December 5). Common cryptocurrency scams and how to avoid them. usa.kaspersky.com. https://usa.kaspersky.com/resource-center/definitions/cryptocurrency-scams