Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union (RBFCU) is alerting its members to a concerning rise in impersonation scams, which have become increasingly sophisticated due to advancements in artificial intelligence. These scams often involve criminals posing as family members or legitimate financial institutions to steal money and personal information.
AI Technology Fuels Scam Sophistication
Brian Munsterteiger, Senior Vice President of Central Operations at RBFCU, explained that scammers are now able to manipulate caller ID information to make it appear as though calls are coming from legitimate RBFCU numbers. This tactic is used to establish trust with victims, who are then told about suspicious activity on their accounts or that their money is at risk.
Once trust is established, scammers create a sense of urgency, often validating fake transactions to gain access to sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, or one-time security passcodes. In some cases, victims are persuaded to transfer money or withdraw cash to hand over to a courier under the guise of protecting their funds.
Voice-Cloning Scams on the Rise
Fraud experts highlight that AI tools can now generate convincing copies of a person’s voice using minimal audio samples, making these scams even more believable. The FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Complaint Report noted that Americans lost approximately $893 million to AI-related scams last year, with over 22,000 complaints involving artificial intelligence, including voice-cloning schemes.
Munsterteiger emphasized that no one is immune to these scams, dispelling the misconception that only unintelligent people fall victim. He advised members to be vigilant and to independently verify any suspicious calls, voicemails, texts, or emails requesting money or personal information.
Protective Measures and Reporting
RBFCU and federal investigators recommend several red flags to watch for. If someone calls asking for personal information, it is almost certainly a scam. Members are advised to hang up and contact the institution directly to verify the legitimacy of the call. Reporting suspicious activity promptly can help prevent further losses.
Original reporting: San Antonio, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.