Emergency Phone Scams Targeting Amarillo Residents

It seems that the technology has advanced so much over the years in Amarillo. We always joke that the technology we have is great when it works. Sometimes, that working technology can be scary.

The advancement of AI (Artificial Intelligence) has made a lot of lives easier. There are a lot of workplaces that use it. Students use it to get ideas and help them in their classes. AI can also be used for fun.

You can come up with the perfect recipe by just throwing together some ingredients you have at home. It can be useful to clean up some photos you don't want to delete, but there was an extra person in it, or it was just a bit blurry.

The Rise of AI Voice Cloning Scams

Then there are times when we have been warned about the dangers of AI, how some information we put online can be used for bad instead of good. That is where this recent warning from the Amarillo Police Department comes into play. This reality is downright terrifying.

Imagine getting a phone call from a loved one who sounds upset and tells you they've been arrested and need money right away. Your first instinct is to help.

Unfortunately, scammers are now using AI technology to clone voices from videos posted online. They can make it sound like a family member or friend is calling and asking for money. Their goal is to create panic so you'll act before verifying the story.

Your immediate instinct is to rush to a loved one's aid, but acting on that panic is exactly what cybercriminals exploit. Scammers count on you acting fast and not verifying. When your emotions are running high, taking a step back to verify the situation is critical.

The "Safe Word" Strategy

There is something my family started when my daughter was little. We came up with a "safe word." She was told that if someone came to pick her up from school or anywhere, who was not me, or who was expected, she needed to ask them what the special code word was.

Verifying Emergency Phone Calls

If they didn't know, she didn't go. The simple, low-tech solution of a family's safe word' is one of your most effective defenses. You ask the caller on the phone what the safe word is; they should know it. If they don't, then you know it is a scam. That is one piece of advice from the Amarillo Police Department.

Another way to verify is to hang up and call your loved one back at their known number. More than likely, they will answer and have no idea that you were part of this attempt to scam you.

Keep your money safe, keep your family safe, and always think before you quickly react.

Don't Answer Calls from These 10 Area Codes - It's a Scam

Those who are in the know about telephone and identity theft scams say these area codes produce the most problem calls for their clients. Unless you personally know someone who might be calling from one of the following area codes, you might want to let that phone call go unanswered.

Gallery Credit: Bruce Mikells