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Social engineering scams, specifically designed to exploit a person’s trust for financial gains or sensitive data, are becoming increasingly sophisticated alongside the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Phishing scams, which involve criminals impersonating reputable companies, have taken a new turn with the announcement of OpenAI’s voice-mimicking tool, marking a new era of social engineering scams.
We have spoken with Tom Tovar, CEO of cybersecurity company Appdome, who highlights the importance of being prepared, rather than just aware, to avoid falling victim to scammers.
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Recognizing a social engineering scam requires keen instincts as these scams manipulate our emotions and fears. These scams are designed to trick humans into divulging protected information, making illicit payments, or engaging with the scam in other ways.
Recently, scammers pretending to be bank employees, government agents, or similar trusted figures have been observed trying to gain the trust of unsuspecting individuals. They exploit trust to manipulate victims into revealing sensitive information or conducting financial transactions that benefit the scammer.
How you combat social engineering scams should adapt with time. Despite brands reassuring their customers that they’ll never call them to curb impersonation scams, this approach only leads scammers to develop new strategies. It’s also not the response customers want from their trusted brands. Navigating the blurred lines of AI-driven scams asks for a solid understanding and preemptive measures against such threats.
Following are some proactive steps against sophisticated social engineering scams:
1. Stay informed about the latest scam tactics and general cybersecurity news.
2. Independently verify any claim of someone representing a company.
3. Guard your personal information and be cautious of sharing it irresponsibly.
4. Use two-factor authentication wherever possible for added security.
5. Be skeptical of too-good-to-be-true offers and urgent requests.
6. Use encrypted communication channels and avoid sensitive discussions over unsecured networks.
7. Regularly update system software and cybersecurity tools.
8. Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
9. Report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities.
The key takeaway here is to stay vigilant and make use of cybersecurity tools – keeping a step ahead of scammers. If you encounter anything that feels off, trust your instincts, verify the claim independently, and never share your personal information recklessly.
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