I Got Scammed! - Sept Issue Plantation Times

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“Grandma! I need help!” said the panicked voice from the other end of the phone. Not just any voice, the voice of their grandchild, “Nina”. Nina was clearly upset and was crying. She sounded scared, which was startling and deeply upsetting. She proceeded to frantically explain that she was just involved in a car accident and had rear-ended someone who was claiming injury, even though there was no damage to the vehicle. Nina further detailed that she was driving without her license, her insurance had expired, and even worse…she had just left a party where she had consumed some alcohol. She was panicked that the person she had rear-ended was going to call the police, and she was “going to go to jail!”. 

Her grandmother, whom we will call Helen, paused for a moment with skepticism. While it did sound quite a bit like Nina, it did not seem like something Nina would call HER for. Why not her Mom or Dad? Why so late?  She hesitated for a moment to gather her thoughts and started to ask her questions. Nina interrupted her and told her that the other driver was asking for $10,000, and they would not call the police. Nina knew it was a lot of money, but she assured her grandmother that she would pay her back as soon as she got home and could access her bank account. 

Helen started into her questioning again, only to be met with more escalated panic, “Grandma! They are starting to dial!!” “Of course!” replied Helen, “What do I need to do?” Nina gave her instructions on how to send the money, obtaining bank information and other personal information in the process. 

Helen hung up the phone, satisfied that she had done the right thing, but worried about the predicament that Nina was in. After a few minutes had gone by, she called Nina’s cell phone, and Nina answered gleefully, “Hello! I’ve been meaning to call you!” Definitely Nina’s voice on the other end of the line, but with no panic or worry in her voice. Helen was confused but knew instantly she had been scammed. 

Helen had been scammed using Deepfake Vishing. A voice phishing scam that cybercriminals use to AI clone the voice of someone familiar. They had found Helen on Facebook, researched her grandchildren, and then used a video from Nina’s social media to fake her voice. 

HOW DO THEY DO IT?

As THE FAVORITE grandchild in the whole group, I know Grandparents often have a hard time saying no to their grandchildren, which is something scam artists know all too well.

Scammers who gain access to consumers' personal information – by mining social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) or purchasing data from dark web data brokers – can create storylines to prey on the fears of grandparents. The scammers call and impersonate a grandchild – or another close relative – in a crisis situation, asking for immediate financial assistance. Sometimes these callers “spoof” the caller ID to make an incoming call appear to be coming from a trusted source. 

Often the imposter claims to have been in an accident or arrested. The scammer may ask the grandparent “please don’t let mom and dad know,” and may hand the phone over to someone posing as a lawyer seeking immediate payment.

The Justice Department recently announced that it charged 25 people from Quebec, Canada, for allegedly participating in a "Grandparent Scam" that defrauded grandparents out of over $21 million in Vermont and more than 40 other states.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, bad actors can now use artificial intelligence technology, commonly known as AI, and a short audio or video clip to "clone" a loved one's voice. The agency advises: “Don’t trust the voice. Call the person who supposedly contacted you and verify the story. Use a phone number you know is theirs.” If you can’t reach the relative allegedly calling you, try to contact other family members or friends who may be able to reach them.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE THE TARGET OF THIS SCAM

AVOID URGENCY !!  They target will be pressured for information or to send money quickly. Scammers often try to bully victims into transferring money "QUICKLY!"... through a mobile payment app, by wiring money, or by purchasing gift cards or money orders. Some may even request to meet to receive money in person.

CREATE A CODE WORD! Work with your family to create a code word that only your family would use. Millennials are targeted by scams more than any other population, they could benefit from a code word as well.

HANG UP!  To verify the story, hang up and call the family member/friend back! Most time the scammer will tell you not to tell someone because they know they will advise you of the scam. They will also tell you that they can't call you back or accept calls for various reasons. That is just NOT TRUE. Law enforcement is aware these scams and if they legitimately have a loved one in custody, they will let you call back. ONLY C

NEVER CALL BACK A NUMBER THAT IS GIVEN TO YOU!!  Only call phone numbers you know. If they tell you they are at the police station and give you a number, look up the official number on the city website. If it is after hours, or you can not reach a live person, call a relative! I know the scammer will say "PLEASE DO NOT TELL MY MOM AND DAD!", and it is hard not to stay loyal to your favorite grandchild, but it will help both of you if the situation turns out to be real. But most likely it wont!

Alexya Isanski - daughter of residents and speaker at the Big Conn event on September 10th at the manor.

JF

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