Security | Threat Detection | Cyberattacks | DevSecOps | Compliance

May 2023

AI Voice-Based Scams Rise as One-Third of Victims Can't Tell if the Voice is Real or Not

As audio deepfake technology continues to go mainstream as part of the evolution in AI-based tools, new data shows there are plenty of victims and they aren’t prepared for such an attack. Imagine you get a call from your child or grandchild telling you they’re in some kind of trouble, an accident, etc. and need money. And it really does sound like them. Would you help? Scammers who are making use of AI to synthesize sound-alike voices as part of vishing scam calls are hoping you will.

Financial Fraud Phishing Attacks Increase 72% In One Year; Financial Industry Takes the Brunt

With attackers knowing financial fraud-based phishing attacks are best suited for the one industry where the money is, this massive spike in attacks should both surprise you and not surprise you at all. When you want tires, where do you go? Right – to the tire store. Shoes? Yup – shoe store. The most money you can scam from a single attack?

Reliability and security best practices for financial services in ANZ

Every year, Australians lose over $6 billion due to financial fraud and cybercrime , so it is great to see the collaboration between banks in Australia to fight fraudsters head-on with the help of the Fraud Reporting Exchange (FRX ). The FRX is a trusted, secure, single platform providing timely and efficient means of reporting and actioning fraudulent (including scam) activities between banks.

Large-Scale "Catphishing" that Targets Victims Looking for Love

For all the recent focus on artificial intelligence and its potential for deepfake impostures, the boiler room is still very much active in the criminal underworld. WIRED describes the ways in which people in many parts of the world (Ireland, France, Nigeria, and Mexico) have been recruited to work as freelancers for a company that seeks to profit from lonely people looking for love. This is how a typical operation runs.

INETCO's Ali Solehdin Talks EBT Fraud Prevention and AI with The Center Square

Scott McClallen – Staff Reporter – The Center Square (The Center Square) – Nationwide, electronic benefits transfer fraud is estimated to cost taxpayers up to $4.7 billion annually, according to the Government Accountability Office. In 2022, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program distributed over $113.7 billion to nearly 22 million households. The federal government entrusts states to reduce fraud in safety net programs. In March, the U.S.

Common Social Media Scams and How to Avoid Them

While there are an estimated 30,000 daily cyber attacks on business websites, there are roughly ten times as many attacks against social media accounts every single day, equating to roughly 1.4 billion accounts every month. Social media attacks and scams have become pervasive problems, with threat actors finding innovative new ways to deceive users and steal their information.

U.K. Advance Fee Scams Increase by Over 600% in Less Than Two Years

New data from the U.K.’s Office of National Statistics shows that this often overlooked scam has grown significantly in interest – likely because it pays off. If you’re not familiar with this kind of scam, it’s pretty simple: the scammer presents the victim with an opportunity for a grant, a prize – something of value – but requires a small payment up front (often called a processing fee, etc.).

Updated Fraud Risk Guidance Available

Auditors and other anti-fraud professionals have fresh guidance this week on how to manage fraud risk, with an emphasis on data analytics, internal reporting hotlines, and discussion of how effective fraud risk management can deter fraudsters from trying their schemes in the first place. Said guidance comes from COSO and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, who released the document earlier this week.

How to Keep Customers Happy by Reducing False Declines

For many financial institutions and retail businesses, there is a need to balance the risks associated with payment fraud and advanced persistent threats against the economic imperative to provide excellent customer experiences in a competitive market. When good users are mistakenly flagged as fraudsters and can’t access payment services, customers get angry and brands lose revenue. These false declines result in lost customers, damaged reputation and lower revenue.