How AI Voice Cloning Leads to Password Theft

AI Voice cloning is a technology that uses AI to create a digital replica of someone’s voice. You provide the audio sample of the voice that needs to be cloned, and the AI voice cloning tool generates a new speech that sounds exactly like the original speaker. 

AI voice cloning comes with significant risks, such as identity theft. Hackers use AI to create a realistic replica of a person’s voice. And, this might be used to manipulate a victim into taking urgent action, such as transferring money or providing account passwords. 

That said, this guide covers how voice cloning works for fraud, voice cloning identity theft cases, and deepfake voice fraud prevention tips. 

What Is the AI Voice Cloning Scam?

Scammers use AI voice cloning tools to clone the voice of the victim. Here’s a brief breakdown of how it works: the scammer takes an audio sample from media videos or anything. The voice recording is uploaded to the AI voice cloning tool. 

It then generates a convincing digital copy. The cloned voice is then sent to the targeted victim’s friends or family, and the scammer asks for money or any other sensitive information. 

For example, a scammer might try to blackmail a family by cloning the voice of their child. The cloned voice will sound exactly like them in distress. The scenario might involve a family emergency, and as a result of that, the scammer requests money. The parents panic and send the requested amount. 

What Are the AI Voice Cloning Risks?

According to a McAfee report, 25% of adults globally have experienced an AI voice scam. 10% of them were personally targeted. AI voice cloning risks are not limited to money extortion. Here’s a list of the risks: 

Password and Identity Theft

Passwords and identity theft are common AI voice cloning risks. These are the direct password risks:

• Voice-controlled password reset: Voice clones can bypass voice verification for password recovery. 
• Smart home hacks: Voice clones can trick Alexa/Google Home voice assistants and manipulate them into revealing information or making purchases. 
• Biometric Security Bypass: Clones can access accounts if a bank account uses voiceprints as authentication. 

AI voice clones combined with different cyberattack methods can lead to identity theft. Here are 3 cases of AI voice cloning identity theft: 

• Social engineering attacks: A scammer calls the customer support team, pretending to be you. 
• SIM Swap: The scammer takes over your phone number to verify your identity.
• Phishing: A fake security alert voicemail sounds like your bank and extorts sensitive information. 

Common AI Voice Cloning Risks

Voice cloning and deepfake video risks are significantly rising. And, AI makes it easier to clone voices. Here are the common risks of cloned AI voices other than password and identity theft: 

• Family emergency scams: A family member’s voice will be cloned to emotionally blackmail the family and extort money. 
• CEO fraud: The boss’s voice will be cloned, and they might give fake orders, such as Wire transfers. 
• Political disinformation: Fake politicians might make damaging statements. 
• Non-consensual content: Scammers might use voices for fake podcasts/adult content or target a victim and clone their voice for it. 
• Celebrity endorsement scams: Fake celebrities promoting investments. 
• Court evidence tampering: AI voice cloning tools can be used to create fake audio evidence. 
• Bypassing Voice Authentication: Scammers may clone the user’s voice to reset a password and bypass voice authentication.

What Are the Legal Considerations When Using AI Voice Cloning Technology?

Laws are still catching up with the latest technology and their risks. However, the U.S. laws already focus on various domains of AI voice cloning scams. Here are 5 legal considerations of AI voice cloning fraud: 

Deepfake Laws and Regulations

A few U.S. states have enacted laws related to Deepfake technology. For instance, the State of California passed a law that it is illegal to distribute Deepfakes to deceive voters or tarnish a candidate’s reputation. The same applies to deepfake audio, i.e., AI-cloned voices. 

State Privacy Laws

Various US State Privacy Laws, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), are the landmark data privacy laws in the US. These focus on data and biometric privacy, including voice. However, these laws vary between States.

Defamation Laws

These laws vary between States as well. However, various laws now protect user identity, such as voice. And in case of unauthorized use of a cloned voice, the scammers may face civil lawsuits for damages. For example, New York has specific statutes that courts have applied to AI voice clones. 

Can Cloned Voice Steal Password: How AI Voice Cloning Leads to Password Theft?

Yes, a cloned voice can be used to steal passwords. But not directly in the way you might think. The AI cloned voice itself doesn’t hack a database. Instead, it might be used in social engineering attacks or voice-based verifications. Here’s how AI voice cloning leads to password theft: 

1. Voice Verification Scam

Banks, credit card companies, and high-security workplaces require voice verification as a form of biometric security. The attacker takes a short audio sample of the target’s voice and then changes it using an available AI voice cloning tool. Following that, they call the institution and have the AI clone speak the required passphrase. Basic systems that are not sophisticated enough grant access. 

2. Vishing (Voice Phishing)

This is one of the most common methods of stealing passwords. Vishing is phishing over the phone, and AI cloning makes the scam more convincing. Here’s how it works: you receive a call from what appears to be a family member or someone known. They sound panicked and urgent. 

The attacker might ask for a verification and require you to tell your current password and the 2FA code. The emotional manipulation, combined with the trusted voice increases compliance. The victims hand over passwords, PINs, and 2FA codes. 

3. Combined Attacks

AI voice clones are rarely used in isolation. It’s usually a part of the broader attack chain. For instance, a scammer impersonates a family member to get basic info or create panic. Meanwhile, they might also send spear phishing emails that contain a link to fake login page. 

Following that, a clone follow-up call will confirm the legitimacy of the email and urge you to enter your credentials on the fake site. The attacker accesses the account once the password is stolen. 

Deepfake Voice Fraud Prevention Tips

Deepfake and AI voice clone frauds are becoming increasingly sophisticated. But you can protect yourself with these essential strategies: 

1. Call-Back Your Contact

Hang up and dial back using a number you know and trust to verify any urgent call. Never one given to you by the caller.

2. Create Unique Verification Phrases

Create secret code phrases with loved ones and coworkers. Make them personal, and change them now and then.

3. Verify the Call

Confirm requests via texts, emails, or in-person. We recommend video calling the person to identify them visually. Or, check with the trusted individuals by directly calling them. 

4. Limit Voice Footprint

Be cautious about public voicemail greetings and always review privacy settings on social media where you’ve posted videos/voice clips. Or, remove public videos with your voice from platforms for enhanced privacy. And, use private settings for family videos and podcasts. 

5. Questions Everything

When someone calls claiming to represent a company, verify their identity by asking specific questions they should know. Request their ID and offer to call their official department directly. Always trust your gut. If something feels wrong, stop and double-check.

FAQs – How AI Voice Cloning Leads to Password Theft

Final Note

AI voice cloning is a rising threat. Along with other threats, it can result in password and identity theft. We recommend changing your privacy settings for videos that include your voice, especially from public platforms. This helps limit your voice footprint and prevents possible AI voice cloning threats.