Key Takeaway
- The Threat: Artificial intelligence can clone a person’s voice with high accuracy from just a few seconds of audio, fueling a surge in convincing deepfake scams.
- The Tactic: Scammers use emotional pressure and urgency (e.g., an “accident” or “arrest”) to bypass critical thinking and force immediate action.
- Your Defense: The best protection involves using an out-of-band verification method. Never trust the phone number on the screen.
- What to Do Now: Establish a family “safe word” and remember that a bank will never ask for your password or PIN over the phone.
Opening Story
“Mom, I’m in trouble — please don’t tell Dad.”
The call sounds exactly like your child’s voice, trembling with fear. The background noise even matches a busy street. Within seconds, your heart races. What would you do?
In recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October, New Omni Bank encourages everyone to stay informed about evolving digital threats — including the growing use of artificial intelligence in fraud scams.
Unfortunately, this kind of scenario is no longer the stuff of fiction. Artificial intelligence (AI) can now clone a person’s voice with astonishing accuracy using only a few seconds of publicly available audio — from social media videos, voicemail greetings, or online interviews. These “voice clone” or deepfake scams are becoming one of the fastest-growing forms of fraud worldwide.
How AI Voice Cloning Works
AI models trained on human speech can mimic tone, accent, and emotion. Scammers feed the program short clips of someone speaking, and within minutes, they can generate sentences that sound identical to the real person. When combined with caller ID spoofing and stolen personal details, the result can fool even the most cautious listener.
Fraudsters often pose as:
- A family member in distress (“I’ve been in an accident — send money now”).
- A law-enforcement officer or attorney (“Your relative is in custody”).
- A bank employee (“We detected fraud on your account; please confirm details”).
The emotional pressure is deliberate — it’s designed to make you act before thinking.
How to Protect Yourself
1. Verify through a separate channel.
If you get an urgent call, hang up and call back using a verified number — whether it’s your relative’s usual phone or your bank’s official contact line. Never trust the number displayed on the screen.
2. Create a family “safe word.”
Share a simple phrase only close relatives know. Choose a word or phrase that is easy to remember but hard for outsiders to guess, like an old pet’s name or an inside family joke. If someone calls claiming to be a loved one in trouble, ask for that phrase before sending help.
3. Be cautious with what you share online.
Short video clips or voice messages on social media can be enough for cloning. Review privacy settings and limit who can access your content.
4. Never share personal information over the phone.
New Omni Bank will never ask for your password, PIN, or one-time code by phone, text, or email
5. Trust your instincts.
If something feels off — the tone, the urgency, or the request — pause. Genuine emergencies don’t disappear if you take a moment to verify.
How New Omni Bank Helps Safeguard You
We continually invest in fraud-monitoring systems that flag suspicious activity and verify client identities through secure, multi-step authentication. Our team is trained to recognize manipulation tactics and will always guide you through safe verification steps — never rush or pressure you.
If you suspect fraud or receive an unusual request, contact your banker immediately using the phone number on your statement or our official website. Your vigilance, paired with our safeguards, creates the strongest protection.
Closing Thought
Technology has given fraudsters new tools — but it’s also given us new ways to protect ourselves. Awareness remains your strongest defense.
Before you act on emotion, pause, verify, and protect your peace of mind.
The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or investment advice. All content is subject to change without notice. Please consult with a qualified professional or contact New Omni Bank directly for personalized guidance or the latest product information.
