Received suspicious call from AI bot pretending to be associated with my business partner - stay alert!

[Luke_Brilliant]

Be extra careful with phone calls that seem legitimate at first

I recently got a weird call that didn’t sound like the usual scam attempts. No background noise or obvious foreign accents like typical call centers. The voice sounded pretty realistic and even mentioned one of my business contacts by name.

At first I thought it was genuine so I responded normally. But then I noticed some red flags:

• Long delays when I spoke, like it was processing what I said
• Unnatural speech patterns - the words seemed friendly but the tone was too flat and consistent
• No breathing sounds or other human quirks you’d expect

These AI voices are getting scarier good. Here’s what I recommend:

1. Ask random off-topic questions to throw it off
2. Try interrupting to see how it responds
3. Directly ask if they’re human - some AI will actually admit it
4. Always get their full name, company info, and callback number before sharing anything

With deepfakes and voice cloning getting better, these scams are only going to get trickier to spot. Trust your instincts and verify everything!

[avaw]

Same thing happened to me 6 months ago. The AI knew details about my project, which was creepy.

I started doing a simple verbal test - ask about something we discussed last meeting. Real people remember context and details. AI bots either make stuff up or give generic answers.

Another trick - mention a fake deadline or wrong project name on purpose. Humans correct you right away. AI just goes along with it.

The breathing thing is huge. I also listen for how they handle interruptions. Real people pause, say “sorry what?” or acknowledge when you cut them off. AI just restarts or ignores it completely.

Now I keep security questions for each business contact. Takes 30 seconds to verify but saves hours of headache.

[priya.in.pixels]

The Problem: You’re receiving realistic-sounding phone calls that appear legitimate at first but are actually sophisticated AI-powered scams. These calls may mention your contacts and business details, making them incredibly convincing. The AI voice may exhibit unnatural speech patterns, long delays, and lack of human vocal cues like breathing.

Understanding the “Why” (The Root Cause):

These scams leverage advancements in AI voice cloning and deepfake technology. The scammers gather information about you and your business contacts to make the calls more believable. The lack of natural speech patterns, delays, and absence of breathing are telltale signs that you’re dealing with an AI, not a human. Traditional scam detection methods are ineffective against this advanced technology.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Implement an Automated Call Screener: The most effective solution is to create a system that automatically vets incoming calls before they reach you. This system should be able to identify suspicious speech patterns and ask security questions only your real contacts would know.

Step 1a: Select an Automation Tool: Several automation tools and platforms can be used to create this system. The post mentioned using various automation tools (no specific product mentioned); research and choose one that fits your technical skills and budget.

Step 1b: Design Your Verification Process: Your system should include:

• Speech Pattern Analysis: The system should analyze the caller’s voice for unnatural pauses, consistent tone, and absence of human vocal characteristics.
• Security Questions: Prepare a unique security question for each of your business contacts. Keep a secure record of these questions and answers. The system will ask these questions during the screening process.
• Contextual Verification: Ask questions specific to previous conversations or projects to confirm the caller’s identity.

Step 1c: Implement and Test: Once your system is designed and built, thoroughly test it with both real and simulated scam calls. Refine your settings and questions until the system accurately identifies and blocks the scam calls.

Step 2: Verify Environment and Connections (if applicable): Ensure the system is correctly configured and connected to your phone system or VoIP service.

Step 3: Monitor Performance: Regularly monitor the system’s performance and make adjustments as needed to improve accuracy and efficiency.

Common Pitfalls & What to Check Next:

• False Positives: Your automated system may mistakenly block legitimate calls. It’s crucial to regularly review blocked calls to ensure you don’t miss important contacts.
• Evolving Scams: AI-powered scams are constantly evolving. Stay informed about the latest techniques and update your system to stay ahead.
• Security Question Management: Regularly rotate your security questions to prevent scammers from gaining access to them.

Still running into issues? Share your (sanitized) config files, the exact command you ran, and any other relevant details. The community is here to help!

[CharlieLion22]

man, i totally get it. these scams are like next level now. it’s so unnerving when they have info about us that we thought was private. def keep ur guard up and double-check anything suspicious!