LA County warns of AI voice-cloning scams targeting residents

Los Angeles County officials have issued a warning about a surge in phone scams involving artificial intelligence technology, KTLA reported. Scammers are using AI to clone voices and create realistic videos, making it appear as though calls and messages come from trusted family members or friends.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department highlighted the danger of receiving calls where the voice sounds exactly like a relative asking for money due to an emergency. They cautioned that despite the familiar voice, the caller may be a scammer attempting to deceive residents.

Authorities emphasized the importance of taking extra moments to verify the identity of callers before sending money, noting that technology advances are changing the tactics scammers use. The Sheriff’s Department encouraged vigilance to prevent becoming a victim of these AI-driven scams.