Protect yourself from deepfakes

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By UCLA Health IT
2 min read

One of the most alarming threats in the digital world can look and sound just like a family member, friend, coworker, or celebrity. Deepfakes – realistic video, audio, or pictures generated with AI – are becoming increasingly sophisticated, enabling scammers to trick people in all sorts of ways.  Take this article for example on how alarming deepfakes can be, an Ethical hacker scams 60 Minutes staffer to show how easy digital theft is. You can watch the deepfake video on YouTube. 

Remember to always think before you act and double check anything that seems suspicious through trusted sources. Below we’ve highlighted common deepfake scams and practical tips to protect yourself from falling for such scams at home and at work. 

Common deepfake scams to watch out for

  1. Impersonation of executives or colleagues
    • Scammers have used deepfake audio and/or video to impersonate company leadership, requesting wire transfers or sensitive data.
  2. Job interview scams
    • Scammers attend job interviews as deepfake avatars, in an attempt to get hired so they can scam the company (such as by being sent a company laptop to get access to company systems).
  3. Romance scams
    • Fake profiles, photos, and videos are used to create false online personas which are used to emotionally manipulate people into sending money.
  4. Extortion
    • Deepfakes are frequently used to create fake compromising images or videos of real people. Bad actors then threaten to release them unless a ransom is paid or the victim does something else the scammer wants.
  5. Social Media Manipulation
    • Deepfakes can spread false information. They can also be used to impersonate influencers, celebrities, and even your social media contacts to promote scams or malicious links.

How to protect yourself

Deepfakes are more than just a workplace problem, they’re a threat in our personal lives too.  As the technology gets more convincing, you need to be more alert and proactive. Below are some practical tips to help you detect and respond to deepfakes.

  • Verify via an alternative method
    • Confirm unusual requests by, for example, calling the official phone number from a company’s website, or messaging your boss on Teams.
  • Look and listen carefully
    • Look for aspects of a video or image that may seem unnatural or be “off.”   
  • Trust your instincts
    • You may not be able to say what’s wrong with something you’re seeing or hearing, but if it feels weird, it probably is.
  • Question the content
    • Be especially suspicious if you’re being asked to act quickly or secretly.
  • Think before you share
    • Pause and check the source of the content.  Sharing deepfakes can unintentionally spread misinformation or cause harm.

As the technology gets more convincing, you’ll need to be more alert and proactive. Share what you’ve learned about deepfakes with family and friends to help them recognize scams and respond safely. 

At work, if something looks suspicious or feels off, please report it to your manager, Security, or IT Security immediately.