Top 5 Ways Parents Can Protect Their Families from Deepfakes and Voice Impersonation

Understanding the Threat of Deepfake Scams

Deepfake scams represent a novel and concerning challenge for parents today. By utilizing AI-generated video or voice, scammers can convincingly mimic the voices of loved ones, causing significant emotional distress and financial loss. For example, reports from Washington state indicate that parents received ransom calls featuring AI-replicated voices of their children, including distressing sounds to enhance the emotional impact. As technology progresses, understanding how to safeguard our families from these high-tech threats is crucial.

1. Create a Family Safety Word

A proven way to bolster your family's defenses against deepfake scams is by establishing a unique family safety word. This code should be known only to immediate family members and can be employed when any loved one reaches out in what seems to be a distressing situation. If someone claims to be a family member in need but cannot provide the safety word, parents and children alike will know to be cautious and verify the request through other means.

2. Educate Your Family on the Dangers

Parents should educate their children about the potential dangers of deepfakes and voice impersonation. Teaching them how these scams work can help prepare them to recognize such threats when they arise. Discuss recent news stories about deepfake scams, emphasizing the importance of skepticism regarding unexpected requests for money or personal information. Awareness is a powerful tool against deception.

3. Verify Identity Through Multiple Channels

If a call or message seems suspicious, advise your family to verify the identity of the person contacting them through multiple channels before taking any action. For instance, if someone claims to be a family member in trouble, they should hang up and call that person back using a known and trusted number. This precaution can help filter out deepfake scams and voice impersonations, ensuring that family members are actually who they claim to be.

4. Encourage Open Communication

A culture of open communication can significantly reduce the risks linked to deepfake scams. Encourage your family members to discuss any unusual or uncomfortable conversations they may have had. This collective vigilance ensures that everyone is aware of potential threats and can address them proactively. Furthermore, reinforcing that it is safe to discuss suspicious communications can create a supportive family environment.

5. Monitor Online Presence and Privacy Settings

Lastly, parents can reduce risk by monitoring their family’s online presence. Scammers often use social media and other online platforms to gather personal information that can aid in creating convincing deepfake impersonations. Regularly reviewing privacy settings on social media accounts and minimizing the amount of personal information shared publicly can significantly mitigate risks associated with deepfake scams.

By implementing these practices, parents can better protect their families from the dangers posed by deepfake scams and voice impersonation. Awareness, preparation, and communication are critical components in the fight against these sophisticated and potentially harmful tactics employed by scammers today.

Keep working through additional steps to protect your children online. More steps are covered in our first book, Cyber-Smart Parenting: Protecting Your Child in the Digital Age ( Buy on Amazon #ad).