ATLANTA — There are few things more frightening than getting a phone call that someone close to you is in serious trouble and needs your help and money immediately. It is happening right now to thousands of people.
Dyan Jacobus and her mom share a close bond. It's the same affection her mom has for her grandson.
So, when her mom got a frantic call from someone claiming to be her grandson, pleading for help, she immediately acted.
"He was super agitated and really upset," she described. "'Grandma, I am in trouble. I've been in a car accident. I am in the hospital ,but the police are holding me.' It was a elaborate story. 'That person I hit was pregnant and might lose the baby and it might be vehicular homicide.' So they really got my mom going,” Jacobus said.
The caller told her he needed $9,000. She went right to the bank to get the money. It was only later that Jacobus' mom figured out it was a scam.
"I think they just got lucky. I think they randomly call phone numbers,” Jacobus added.
Scams like this are getting far more sophisticated, using Artificial Intelligence to mimic a loved one’s voice. Computer professional and longtime specialist in cybersecurity Jonathan Zufi, explained how easy it is.
“You just have to find someone saying something. You can get it on social media, on YouTube, TikTok, all the social media channels, and if you call someone and you get their Voicemail, you can make a recording,” Zufi said.
With his help, we simulated an AI call. We wrote down what we wanted to say, and using a recording 11Alive's Bill Liss' voice. AI did the rest.
There are some steps people can take to avoid being scammed.
“Be cognizant of how urgent they are trying to make the situation. That is always a very clear indication that it’s a scam,” Zufi added.
Zufi suggested having a code word -- something simple -- and to ask the caller for it right off the top.
“Then stop, take a pause and try to get as much information as you can, but then ultimately, you should really end the call and try to call that person back to make sure you are actually speaking to someone you believe you are speaking to,” Zufi said.
For Jacobus, it's a shocking reality.
“You can't believe anything anymore. Always stop and ask. I wish she had even called me or call back her grandson to see is this really you,” Jacobus added.
Below are links to important scam alert websites and helpful information: