Starling Bank Warns of AI Voice Cloning Scams

Starling Bank has issued a warning that AI voice cloning scams could potentially target millions, as fraudsters can replicate a person's voice with just three seconds of audio from social media. A recent survey revealed that 21% of Scottish adults have experienced such scams, and nearly half of respondents (46%) are unaware of their existence. Scammers exploit trust by imitating voices of family and friends, often requesting urgent financial assistance. The bank advises individuals to establish a 'safe phrase' with loved ones for verification, though it cautions that these phrases could be compromised. The urgency of public awareness is underscored, given that 28% of survey participants believe they may have been targeted in the past year. Experts warn that AI technology has reached a point where distinguishing between real and cloned voices is increasingly difficult, highlighting the need for vigilance against these sophisticated scams.