Don’t Let AI Impersonation Fool You

A phone call from your boss, a text from a family member or a video featuring someone you trust.

What if none of them were real?

Artificial intelligence (AI) has made it easier than ever for scammers to create convincing impersonations using cloned voices, fake videos and realistic messages. With a small sample of someone's voice from social media, a video or a voicemail recording, scammers can create audio that sounds authentic. These scams often create a sense of urgency, asking for money or personal information before you even have time to think.

Voice cloning scams have become one of the fastest-growing forms of AI-enabled fraud. Scammers may pretend to be loved ones in an emergency, a coworker requesting a wire transfer or even a representative from your financial institution. This technology is becoming more sophisticated, making it more difficult to rely on what you hear or see.

The best defense is simple: verify before you trust something. If you receive an unexpected request involving money, account information, or passwords, stop and confirm the request through a trusted phone number or separate method. Taking a few extra minutes to verify could save you from becoming a victim of fraud.

Protect Yourself from AI Impersonation Scams

• Verify requests using a known phone number or contact method.
• Be aware of urgent requests involving money or personal information.
• Never share passwords, security codes or online banking credentials.
• If something feels suspicious, trust your instincts and investigate before acting.

AI may be changing the way scams look and sound and slowing down and verifying information remains one of the most effective ways to protect yourself.

Red Flags with AI Impersonation

While AI-generated voices and videos can be convincing, scammers still rely on many of the same tactics they've always used:

• Creating a sense of urgency for you to act immediately.
• Asking for money through gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or payment apps.
• They request account numbers, passwords or security codes.
• Claiming you can't tell anyone about the situation.
• You get contacted from an unfamiliar phone number, email address or social media account.

Fraud Friday Tip: Create a family "safe word" that only close family members know. If you receive an emergency call that seems suspicious, asking for the safe word can help verify the person's identity.

If at any time you think your account has been compromised or you have received a suspicious call Bank Iowa immediately so we can help review the situation and secure your account. Acting quickly can make a meaningful difference in limiting potential losses.

Visit Bank Iowa’s fraud resources page to stay informed to recognize and prevent scams.  You can also stop at any one of our locations to get assistance.