ABA Relaunches Anti-Scam Campaign With Focus On AI, Deepfakes
By CU Today Staff —
WASHINGTON—The American Bankers Association has relaunched its #BanksNeverAskThat consumer education campaign with a new “Scam Slayer” initiative and an increased focus on scams involving artificial intelligence and deepfakes.
ABA is also bringing back its #PracticeSafeChecks campaign aimed at helping consumers and small businesses protect themselves against check fraud.
More than 2,500 banks have participated in the two campaigns since their launch, according to ABA. This year, #BanksNeverAskThat will feature real-life accounts of people who recognized and helped stop scams, while educating consumers about warning signs that include unexpected contacts, demands for immediate action or secrecy, pressure to move money and requests for account information, passwords or PINs.
“Today’s scams are sophisticated, highly targeted and increasingly difficult to detect, particularly as criminals use artificial intelligence and deepfakes to impersonate trusted people and organizations,” said Rob Nichols, ABA president and CEO. “Education and vigilance are more important than ever. Through #BanksNeverAskThat, America’s banks are helping consumers recognize suspicious activity, take action and become ‘Scam Slayers’ by protecting themselves and others from financial harm.”
ABA said AI can allow criminals to create convincing messages, images, videos and voice recordings impersonating banks, government agencies, businesses or people victims know. The association said consumers should independently verify suspicious requests through a trusted channel. ABA and participating banks are kicking off the yearlong campaigns Oct. 1 in conjunction with Cybersecurity Awareness Month, using social media, branch outreach, educational events and community partnerships.
Originally reported by CU Today.