DANE COUNTY, Wis. (WKOW) -- The Dane County Sheriff’s Office says the use of artificial intelligence in telephone scams is becoming more common.
"The all too common “Grandparents Scam” has become even more believable with artificial intelligence," said Elise Schaffer, spokesperson for the sheriff's office. "By taking online videos and using AI to create a recording using the person’s voice, scammers can make their victims believe their grandchild is in danger and needs help."
Schaffer said certain populations are more vulnerable. Scammers are stealing thousands of dollars from unsuspecting senior citizens.
“We need to share this information far and wide to protect our most vulnerable community members from these callous scammers,” said Sheriff Kalvin Barrett in a statement. “The only way to deter this calculated criminal activity is to spread awareness of their ruthless tactics.”
Barrett advises to be cautious of how much is shared on social media accounts.
"Locking down privacy settings so that scammers cannot access video content is another way to lessen their prospects" Barrett said. "If you receive one of these calls, hang up and call the family member directly to check on their welfare. Chances are, they are doing just fine, and you can sigh with relief that your bank account is still intact."
If anyone believes they are a victim of a scam, they should contact local law enforcement.
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