Arizona is facing a new wave of high-tech scams as fraudsters employ advanced tools like voice cloning and AI-generated phishing texts to deceive residents. According to the Federal Trade Commission, these scams have resulted in millions of dollars in losses for Arizona residents.

Maria Holmes, a local resident, shared her experience when her mother received a fraudulent text message that appeared to be from Chase Bank. “It said there’s been some fraud maybe going on with your card,” Holmes recounted. Fortunately, Holmes recognized the scam and confirmed with a local Chase branch that the message was fake.

Scammers are now capable of cloning voices and creating fake identities, making it crucial for consumers to stay vigilant. Chase Bank, in collaboration with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, is conducting community workshops across Arizona to raise awareness about these scams.

Protecting Yourself from Scams

Antonio Lara, a community manager at Chase Bank in Phoenix, advises residents to be cautious, especially with unknown calls. “It only takes about six words for an AI machine to replicate our voice,” Lara explained. He suggests not engaging with suspicious calls or texts and recommends verifying any unexpected communication directly with your bank.

Chase Bank is actively working to detect and block scams in real-time. Lara emphasizes that banks will never ask for personal information over the phone, and advises customers to have a trusted contact within their bank for in-person verification.

Seniors are particularly vulnerable to these AI-driven scams, and experts urge families to advocate for their older relatives and trust their instincts. Holmes advises checking with a real person at the financial institution to confirm any suspicious activity.

If you suspect you’ve been targeted by a scam, you can file a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office at azag.gov.

Original reporting: 12News / KPNX (Phoenix metro) — read the source article.