Phishing scams have entered a sophisticated, AI‑powered phase and can now convincingly mimic real people through fabricated voice or video. Attackers use these deepfakes to impersonate CEOs authorizing urgent payments, IT staff demanding immediate access, or even family members asking for help.
If you receive a call from someone you recognize but the number is unfamiliar—and they pressure you to divulge confidential information or send money—take a moment and verify before acting. Watch and listen for warning signs:
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Audio cues: unnatural pauses, overly smooth phrasing, or odd emotional timing can indicate synthetic speech.
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Visual clues: inconsistent lighting or shadows, artifacts around the hairline, ears, or teeth, and anything that seems “off,” especially around the mouth and eyes as the person moves.
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Knowledge checks: ask for a detail that only the real individual would know; hesitation or vague answers are red flags.
If you’re even slightly unsure of the call’s legitimacy, hang up and reconnect with the person through a separate, trusted channel. In our experience, a few seconds of healthy skepticism can prevent costly mistakes, and verifying through an alternate contact method is an essential practice.
(Featured image by iStock.com/Tero Vesalainen; article image by iStock.com/Boris023)
