UK Bank Warns Millions at Risk from AI Voice-Cloning Scams
Starling Bank, a UK-based online lender, has issued a stark warning about the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) voice-cloning scams, stating that “millions” could be vulnerable to this growing threat. According to the bank, fraudsters can now replicate a person’s voice using as little as three seconds of audio, which can be easily obtained from publicly available content such as videos posted online.
Once scammers have cloned a voice, they can exploit this by impersonating the individual in calls to their friends or family, asking for money. Starling Bank highlighted the severity of the threat in a press release, noting that these scams have the potential to deceive a significant number of people.
A recent survey conducted by the bank in collaboration with Mortar Research revealed that more than a quarter of the 3,000 adults surveyed had been targeted by AI voice-cloning scams in the past year. Alarmingly, 46% of respondents were unaware such scams even existed, and 8% said they would transfer money to a loved one even if the call seemed suspicious.
“People frequently post audio and video content online without realizing they’re potentially exposing themselves to fraudsters,” said Lisa Grahame, Chief Information Security Officer at Starling Bank.
To combat this, the bank is urging customers to agree on a “safe phrase” with close friends and family members. This phrase, which should be unique and unrelated to existing passwords, can be used as a verification tool in case of any suspicious phone calls. Starling also advises against sharing this phrase via text, recommending that any such messages be deleted after being viewed.
With AI technology advancing rapidly, the risk of misuse is growing. Concerns have been raised not only about potential financial fraud but also about the role of AI in spreading misinformation and facilitating other types of cybercrime. Earlier this year, OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, unveiled its voice replication tool, Voice Engine, but withheld it from public release due to concerns over synthetic voice misuse.
