Posted on 11/19/2023 4:32:39 AM PST by Libloather
Older Americans reportedly lost $1.1 billion to fraud in 2022, according to the annual Senate Committee on Aging report released this month, and most of the scams utilized AI technology to clone the voices of people they knew and other AI-generated ploys.
During a Thursday committee hearing on AI scams, committee chairman Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., published the group’s annual fraud book highlighting the top scams last year. It found that from January 2020 to June 2021, the FBI found "individuals reportedly lost $13 million to grandparent and person-in-need scams."
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass, also a member of the committee, said the $1.1 billion figure in total losses is "almost surely an underestimate," since it does not factor in the instances of victims who don't report scams due to embarrassment.
Casey said in a statement that "federal action" is needed to put up guardrails to protect consumers from AI-generated scams. There are currently very little regulations on AI capacities, which witnesses urged lawmakers to crack down on through legislation.
"Any consumer, no matter their age, gender, or background, can fall victim to these ultra-convincing scams, and the stories we heard today from individuals across the country are heartbreaking," he said. "As a parent and grandparent, I relate to the fear and concern these victims must feel."
The top 10 categories of scams reported in the fraud book were financial impersonation and fraud, robocalls, computer scams, catfishing on dating profiles, identity theft and others.
The most prominent scams used AI technology to mimic people’s voices who then make calls to the victims, family members or loved ones, asking for money. Several testimonies from witnesses in the hearing said they received calls that sounded exactly like their loved one was in danger, was injured or was being held hostage.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Scams target the elderly because they are sometimes easily fooled. Putin and Xi like this a lot.
Several months ago I noticed a huge increase in spam email. They are spoofing pretty much everything from Amazon to The Peacock+, banks Macy’s and dozens of others. They all see to becoming from .de, .edu.pl and .tech email addresses. I just filter them to the trash bin. They all have an unsubscribe link that goes to unrelated site. I suspect that’s what gets people.
I wish I was smart enough to hunt this people down, corrupt their hard drives, arrest them and upon conviction, put them in the deepest prison hole on that planet.
Seems there was a survey awhile back as to whether or not the public approved of AI being used. I don’t know (or remember) the results or if they were given, but after reading this I would definitely disapprove of AI.
I admit it...I’m bad with money, apparently even incurring tax liabilities with the government. But thank goodness John with the IRS called me and I got THAT straightened out. I’ve just returned from the post office where I mailed the ten $500 gift cards to John. That’ll take care of the money I owe to the IRS.
I hope to be a better steward of my money in other areas from now on.
Seniors are more likely to follow orders because they have lost analytical skills. They are more likely to answer a phone call or fall for a phishing email. I had a friend get taken by a Tech Support scam.
Isn’t AI great ??? !!!
I just filter them to the trash bin.
**********
Pretty much what I do. If you don’t
you’ll wind up with a computer loaded
with this trash.
My mom is pretty much deaf, so no problem with phone calls and mostly blind so no computer stuff. I handle her affairs.
The scams have worked against the elderly and demented Biden and it’s cost a lot more than a billion.
You’ll probably enjoy this then.
Scammer Payback
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC9EjyMN_hx5NdctLBx5X7w
Later.
With 'heels up harris' in charge of ai, what could possibly go wrong.
Surely, the future is secure.
😜
Lol, that’s what keyboard are for. The right person with a keyboard could do a lot of damage.
Good to see you are still around. Have a happy Thanksgiving.
My mother got such a call from a young man claiming to be her grandson - jailed for something stupid and desperately needing a lot of money for bail and car repairs - like thousands of dollars.
She asked him his middle name and he quickly hung up.
I DO NOT answer calls from unknown numbers - anyone who needs to reach me can leave a voice mail. I’ve told all of my elderly relatives same.
My neighbor was almost taken in by a fake 1-800 flowers site (they are elderly) - her husband said it looked exactly like the real site - they said they wanted to update her saved information to make sure future purchases were easy — asked for her driver’s license #, her social security number, credit card number along with the security code - she was about to enter it all when she became suspicious and got her husband who immediately recognized it as a scam - she could a lot and spent years straightening it all out if ever.
Bless your heart - LOL......
Scammers not just targeting older Americans Biden is in office age isn’t the problem it’s lack of thinking.
Very good - I did find it interesting and entertaining. I get numerous emails from PayPal stating XXX $$$ are being charged to my whatever.....I certainly don’t open them - send them to JUNK and delete..
Some people should not have phones or computers or need keepers....
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