Explained: What is chatbot and voice assistant-based online frauds and how you can protect yourself

Chatbots and voice assistants are artificial intelligence (AI) programs designed to interact with humans through text or voice. They are used in various applications, including customer service, virtual assistants, and entertainment.

How are chatbots and voice assistants used in scams?Scammers are increasingly leveraging chatbot and voice assistant technology to carry out fraudulent activities. These AI-powered tools can mimic human conversation, making it difficult for victims to detect the scam.

Common types of chatbot and voice assistant-based frauds:

• Phishing scams : Scammers use chatbots to send convincing phishing emails or messages, attempting to trick victims into revealing personal information or clicking on malicious links.
  
• Impersonation scams : Scammers may impersonate trusted individuals or organisations, such as banks, government agencies, or friends and family, to gain victims' trust and steal money or personal information.
  
• Tech support scams : Scammers pose as tech support representatives to trick victims into revealing sensitive information or paying for unnecessary services.
  
• Voice-based scams: Scammers use voice assistants to make automated calls, often impersonating government officials or other authority figures, to pressure victims into providing personal information or financial details.
  

How to protect yourself:

• Be cautious of unsolicited calls and messages: If you receive a call or message from an unknown number or a suspicious sender, be cautious and do not provide any personal information.
  
• Verify the sender's identity: If you receive a message or call from someone claiming to be from a trusted organisation, verify their identity by contacting the organisation directly using a phone number or email address you know is legitimate.
  
• Do not share personal information: Never share your personal information, such as your Social Security number, credit card details, or passwords, with anyone over the phone, email, or chat unless you are absolutely sure of the person's identity and the legitimacy of the request.
  
• Be wary of urgent requests: Scammers often use a sense of urgency to pressure victims into making quick decisions. If you receive a request for immediate action, take your time and verify the information before proceeding.
  
• Keep your software updated: Ensure that your devices and software are always up-to-date with the latest security patches to protect against vulnerabilities that could be exploited by scammers.
  
• Use strong, unique passwords: Create strong, unique passwords for all of your online accounts and avoid using the same password for multiple accounts.