With the holidays approaching, Attorney General Dana Nessel of Michigan is doubling down on warnings about scam artists using artificial intelligence to commit fraud. Her caution to residents is part of a larger Holiday Scams Campaign aimed at educating the public on the risks associated with advancements in AI technology, specifically deepfakes, according to a report from the Department of Attorney General's website. These scams, Nessel says, are capable of creating audio and video recordings so lifelike that they may deceive even those closest to the intended victims.
Scammers, by exploiting AI, have upped their game, cloning voices with collected audio from public social media posts to make distress calls to unsuspecting victims, making them part of the scam, spoofing phone numbers of family members. Nessel urges people to be skeptical of caller ID authenticity and suggests establishing a family verification phrase to help confirm identities in potential scam situations. "Artificial intelligence can be used legitimately as a tool to help make our everyday lives easier," Nessel remarked. "It is unfortunate that this technology is being exploited by bad actors intent on scamming and defrauding the public," in a statement obtained by the Department of Attorney General.
Among the other recommendations, the Attorney General stresses the need for heightened awareness of warning signs, including high-pressure tactics, fear-inducing demands, and requests for strange payment methods such as cryptocurrencies and gift cards. "Scammers often demand payment through cryptocurrency, gift cards, or money transfers—methods that are hard to trace or reverse," Nessel stated in the press release, issuing a clear warning aimed at alerting consumers to be cautious of unusual requests during this vulnerable time of year.
To further help residents protect themselves, Nessel advises prompt action if one falls victim to a scam. Reporting to local law enforcement, the Federal Trade Commission at 877-382-4357, and immediate contact to banks or credit card companies can mitigate further financial damage. The Attorney General's Consumer Protection Team is also available for assistance at the toll-free number 877-765-8388 or through an online complaint filing. For comprehensive insight into recognizing these scams, Nessel directs to the Attorney General’s Recognizing a Scam page.
