Identity thefts in new formats !

 

Dr Mathew Joys, Las Vegas

 

This may seem like an old joke: “If an identity thief steals my data, they aren’t getting a fortune. They’re just getting my low credit score and 4,000 unread emails.” 

However, the new modus operandi of cybercriminals hijacks people's helpful nature in public places—airports, malls, banks—by asking them to look at something on their phone, which is extremely dangerous.

 

The data theft mechanism is straightforward: when a stranger's phone is held, hidden screen recording and video capture record facial features, eye movements, voice, and even fingerprints from the glass screen.

 

Using AI, scammers can create a highly realistic digital clone of your voice, face, and biometrics within seconds. This clone can bypass bank verification, facilitate loans, or execute identity theft.

 

Real-world examples include a Hong Kong multinational losing $25 million after an employee was tricked into a video conference where AI deepfakes impersonated executives, and a UK oil company CEO transferring $240,000 after hearing an AI-cloned voice of the German parent company owner.

 

You must be extremely cautious when handling phones for strangers or answering video calls. If you are helpful, beware: at a railway station, shopping mall, or bank, someone may approach claiming to need assistance checking information on their phone about a bank account, pension, or loan, citing they’re not tech-savvy.

 

This is where danger begins. Touching a stranger's phone allows your fingerprints to be stolen. Simultaneously, screen and video recording activate, capturing your face and eye movements, while your voice is recorded via microphone. Within seconds, your biometric data—fingerprints, face, and voice—are transferred to the stranger’s device.

 

With these assets, AI can instantly create a convincing clone of you. Cybersecurity experts warn that attackers can then commit any fraud using your AI replica. Since biometric verification is the primary method of identity confirmation everywhere—from purchasing essentials to applying for passports—if fraudsters access this data, they can breach banking apps or take loans in your name.

 

This scam is known as 'identity theft': stealing personal details to commit fraud.

 

Identity theft isn’t limited to physical encounters. It also occurs through unsolicited video calls from strangers. Con artists have already used this tactic to send explicit images and threaten victims.

 

While many stories involve billion-dollar corporations, everyday individuals need to prioritize their digital security. Losing biometric data can result in losing your hard-earned money. Always avoid answering unknown video calls and exercise extreme caution before helping strangers on their phones.

 

End Note: “Oh, you stole my identity? Please, feel free to pay my student loans while you're at it.Thanks for taking over my identity. Let me know when you're ready to take over my credit card debt too."