Deepfake, Malware, More AI Scams Could Spoil Your Tax Season. Here's How To Protect Yourself

AI-driven scams: Safeguarding personal and financial information is paramount. From verifying legitimacy to exercising caution, there are various steps you can take.

As tax season looms closer, experts warn of the escalating danger posed by AI-driven scams aimed at pilfering personal and financial data. Cybercriminals, leveraging cutting-edge technologies like deepfake phishing, artificial intelligence (AI)-generated malware, and automated voice calls, are employing increasingly sophisticated methods to ensnare unwary individuals.

According to Trevor Cooke, an online privacy specialist at online privacy research platform EarthWeb, these scams are becoming more pervasive, preying on unsuspecting victims during tax season. He sheds light on the evolving landscape of AI-based scams and offers proactive steps to shield oneself from these threats.

AI Scams To Be Aware Of

AI advancements have paved the way for a new breed of scams, meticulously crafted to exploit individuals during tax season. These scams harness AI capabilities to execute deceptive manoeuvres, posing a grave risk to unsuspecting targets. Here's a breakdown of the prevalent AI-driven scams:

Deepfake Phishing: Cybercriminals employ AI-generated images and videos to masquerade as trusted entities, such as tax authorities or financial institutions, in a bid to deceive individuals into divulging sensitive information or downloading malicious software.

AI-Generated Malware: AI-powered malware presents a formidable challenge to cybersecurity measures, adapting and morphing to evade conventional defence mechanisms. Utilising machine learning algorithms, cybercriminals develop sophisticated malware capable of breaching data and causing financial harm.

Automated Voice Calls: AI-driven voice synthesizers emulate human speech to engage with unsuspecting targets. These automated calls impersonate government agencies or financial institutions, coercing individuals into divulging personal information or facilitating fraudulent transactions.

Measures You Should Take 

Amid the proliferation of AI-driven scams, safeguarding personal and financial information is paramount. Cooke offers essential tips to fortify defences against these deceptive tactics:

Verify Legitimacy: Authenticate communications from tax authorities independently, utilising official channels such as verified phone numbers or email addresses. Employ verification codes or secure authentication methods provided by tax authorities to validate the authenticity of correspondence.

Exercise Caution: Exercise prudence when engaging with unsolicited communications, refraining from clicking on links or sharing sensitive information without verifying the sender's legitimacy.

Keep Software Updated: Regularly update software and security systems to mitigate the risk of malware infections and data breaches.

Stay Informed: Stay abreast of the latest cybersecurity threats, particularly prevalent tactics utilised by cybercriminals during tax season.

Cooke emphasises the importance of remaining vigilant in the face of the pervasive threat posed by AI-driven scams targeting personal and financial information. By recognising warning signs, implementing verification measures, and adhering to expert advice, individuals can mitigate the risk of falling prey to these deceitful schemes and safeguard their financial well-being.