Focusing on Deepfakes

With just a single photo and a few seconds of audio, someone can create a convincing digital version of you that's nearly impossible to tell from the real thing. And cybercriminals are already using this technology to target people just like you.

Deepfakes are getting harder to spot

Today, about 7 out of 10 deepfakes look real enough to fool the average person. That means a video call, a voicemail, or even a short clip online might not be what it seems. Imagine your boss asking you for a wire transfer on Zoom, or a loved one calling you from the hospital in urgent need of money. These situations feel real, but they may actually be a scammer using deepfake technology. That’s why it’s so important to slow down, double-check, and verify before taking action.

One photo can become your “digital double”

It doesn’t take advanced tools or weeks of work — just one clear photo of you online can be enough to build a realistic talking version of your face. In under an hour, someone could make a deepfake of you giving instructions, resigning from a job, or saying things you’d never say. The photos we casually share on LinkedIn, Instagram, or other platforms can give attackers the keys to impersonate us.

Just 3 seconds of your voice is enough

Your voicemail greeting, a short social media clip, or even a few words captured in the background of a video can be cloned into a voice that sounds exactly like you. From there, a scammer could make “you” authorize a payment, confess to something you didn’t do, or damage your reputation. Every public word you’ve spoken online can be turned into material for fraud.

Recommendations

• Remove all personal photos from social media.
• Do not create personalized voicemail greetings for your phone.
• Only post your work details to social media when you are actively looking for work and remove them when you are done.
• Never post details of your current job.
• Use strong privacy settings on all social media platforms that you use.