Online Scams: How to protect yourself from AI voice call scams in India

Online scams are becoming increasingly prevalent in India, with scammers devising new ways to trick people and steal money.

The AI voice call scam involves scammers using advanced technology to create convincing fake voices of friends or family members, requesting urgent financial help from their targets.

AI voice calls scam:

Reports indicate that a significant number of individuals in India have been deceived by the AI voice call scam.

In fact, a recent study by India Today revealed that 50% of those who received such fraudulent calls were unable to discern between an authentic and AI-generated voice.

To evade detection, scammers often resort to untraceable methods like crypto currencies or gift cards.

By exploiting the trust and vulnerability of their targets, they can successfully execute their fraudulent schemes while avoiding accountability.

Protecting yourself from AI voice scams:

To protect yourself and your family members from AI voice scams, it is essential to be cautious and act proactively.

Here are some vital points to bear in mind when handling suspicious phone calls.

Verify callers:

It is crucial to verify the identity of the caller by using a unique code or posing a question that only they can answer.

Use identity services:

To ensure the caller's authenticity, you can request that they provide a secret code or answer a personal question.

This approach can safeguard you against divulging sensitive information to scammers who aim to pilfer your personal data or hard-earned money.

Ignore unknown calls:

If you don't recognize the caller, it's best to let the call go to voicemail. Afterward, you can verify the caller's identity by cross-checking their number with their official website.

Avoid clicking links in texts:

Clicking on links in texts may expose your device to malware or redirect you to fake websites.

To mitigate the risk of falling prey to these types of scams, it's best to abstain from clicking on links that you're not familiar with or that seem suspicious.

Do not share OTP:

It's important to exercise caution when receiving calls from unknown numbers, particularly if the caller asks for your OTP.

To protect yourself, never share your OTP with anyone, and remain vigilant when communicating with unfamiliar parties.

Do not allow remote access:

Allowing remote access to your device can be extremely risky, as it can open up the possibility of malware installation or data theft.

Therefore, it's crucial to exercise caution and avoid granting remote access to your device to anyone, especially those who you don't know or trust.

Do not trust caller ID:

It's crucial to be aware that scammers can manipulate their caller ID to disguise their numbers.

Therefore, it's essential not to solely rely on caller ID when determining whether to answer a call, as it can be deceptive.

Instead, it's best to use other methods to authenticate the caller's legitimacy and avoid falling victim to a scam.

Reporting scam calls to the authorities:

To report cyber fraud in India, individuals can call the national helpline at 155260, access the online portal at cybercrime.gov.in, or reach out to other relevant authorities.

Reporting scam calls can assist in the identification and capture of scammers and prevent them from targeting others in the future.

It's important to report any suspicious calls or fraudulent activities to safeguard yourself and others.