We love sharing milestones, vacations, graduations and anniversaries on social media.
But now, more than ever, it’s important to be careful about what you share and who can see it.
Social engineering is the process scammers use to gather information about you.”Jeff Taylor, senior vice president in Regions’ Corporate Banking Group
Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to scan the internet and gather personal information that can be used in social engineering attacks. Even a seemingly harmless photo can reveal details that put sensitive information in the hands of criminals.
“Social engineering is the process scammers use to gather information about you,” said Jeff Taylor, senior vice president in Regions’ Corporate Banking Group. “They use that information to gain your trust or manipulate you into revealing sensitive details.
“With AI, they’re able to collect information in a fraction of the time. The amount of detail they can uncover goes much deeper than before.”
How to Limit AI-Powered Social Engineering Risks
- Limit who can view and share your social media profiles.
- Think twice before posting personal information, including birth dates, children’s schools and travel plans.
- Be mindful of the photos you share online. AI tools can identify details such as locations, addresses, license plates and other information that may not be obvious at first glance.
- Don’t accept friend or follower requests from people you don’t know.
- Avoid publicly connecting your personal and professional lives online whenever possible.
“Social media is a great way to share news and accomplishments with friends, family, co-workers and peers,” said Kimberly Reece, customer advocacy manager for Enterprise Fraud Management at Regions. “But it’s more important than ever to think twice before posting anything scammers could use against you.”
But it’s more important than ever to think twice before posting anything scammers could use against you.”Kimberly Reece, customer advocacy manager for Enterprise Fraud Management at Regions
Recognizing Social Media Scams
Using AI, scammers can create online content that appears legitimate and convincing. Common examples include:
- Fake celebrity endorsements created with AI-generated photos or videos.
- Fraudulent websites and landing pages designed to closely mimic trusted brands and organizations.
- AI-generated photos, videos or voice recordings that impersonate family members, friends or other trusted individuals.
“You may come across what appears to be your favorite celebrity promoting a service,” said Hunt Prothro, Fraud Prevention manager at Regions. “Or someone you’ve only met online may try to build a relationship before asking for help during an emergency.
“There are also cases where scammers gather private information and then attempt to blackmail victims, demanding money in exchange for keeping that information private.”
There are also cases where scammers gather private information and then attempt to blackmail victims, demanding money in exchange for keeping that information private.” Hunt Prothro, Fraud Prevention manager at Regions
Protect Yourself
- Research the profile of anyone who initiates contact. How long has the account been active? How many followers does it have? What do the posts look like?
- Be skeptical of unsolicited offers, whether it’s a job opportunity, investment or other financial promise.
- Remember: If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
“Always trust your instincts,” Prothro said. “Take a moment to pause and think before you act. Never send money to someone you’ve only met online and never share personal photos with someone you don’t know – especially if you wouldn’t post them online for everyone.”
“Unfortunately, many of us share so much online that scammers may know more about us than we realize.”
When it comes to online safety, a little caution can go a long way.
Never send money to someone you’ve only met online and never share personal photos with someone you don’t know – especially if you wouldn’t post them online for everyone.” Hunt Prothro
Additional Resources from Regions.com
Related Articles from Doing More Today
The information presented is general in nature and should not be considered, legal, accounting or tax advice. Regions reminds its customers that they should be vigilant about fraud and security and that they are responsible for taking action to protect their computer systems. Fraud prevention requires a continuous review of your policies and practices, as the threat evolves daily. There is no guarantee that all fraudulent transactions will be prevented or that related financial losses will not occur. Visit regions.com/STOPFRAUD or speak with your Banker for further information on how you can help prevent fraud.