By Shannon Lukens.

 

Watch for cyber criminals and online scams using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to steal from unsuspecting shoppers. Glen Jammaron is the president of Alpine Bank, which sent out a new warning about this.

“This is not the phishing email of 10 years ago. It’s not the Saudi Arabian Prince who wants to send you several million dollars. Scams are incredibly convincing, often indistinguishable from the real thing. Even with AI voices, it sounds like a loved one. We no longer can just hope that we’re not going to get targeted. It’s out there, and we have to stay diligent all of the time.”

 

Jammaron says another common tactic with scammers is that they always want to keep you on the phone.”

“So that you can’t call your loved one. You can’t double check with something.”

 

The press release from Alpine Bank emphasizes that voices can be cloned to sound like family members or employers. Documents can be copied and forged. Smart phones and devices can be hacked.

 

Never click on links from someone you weren’t expecting. Don’t share personal financial information or passwords. Don’t click on ads on social media, and stick with trusted retailers. Keep an eye on your bank accounts. And never fall for someone pressuring you to give them money or gift cards.

 

Press Release from Alpine Bank; Dec. 2, 2024

 

Alpine Bank warns of higher risks to Colorado consumers from sophisticated online scams powered by artificial intelligence

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. (December 3, 2024) — Colorado’s leading community bank is calling on consumers and businesses to be extra vigilant this holiday season in response to cybercriminals using increasingly advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology to steal from unsuspecting shoppers.

Officials expect online fraud to be even more prevalent this year, as advancements in highly sophisticated AI-powered technology make scams more individualized and compelling than ever before.

Alpine Bank is warning Coloradans that criminals are now using new AI technology in several startling and convincing ways to fool people into losing their identity and money:

• Cloning near-perfect voices and identities that sound like family members, employers or trusted contacts, often pairing these with fake caller IDs.
• Forging perfect copies of financial and other trusted websites, which are used to steal login credentials from unsuspecting users.
• Hijacking smart phones and other devices with malware that is capable of intercepting calls and transactions.
• Generating fake QR codes that are placed over real ones on parking meters, restaurant menus or advertisements, which quickly take over a person’s smart phone to steal personal financial information.

“This is not the phishing email of 10 years ago,” said Alpine Bank President Glen Jammaron. “These scams are incredibly convincing and often indistinguishable from the real thing. Staying vigilant is no longer optional, it’s essential to protect yourself and your loved ones.”

Keep your guard up

Alpine Bank offers the following guidelines to help consumers avoid falling victim to these sophisticated scams:

• Never click on links or phone numbers from emails or texts you weren’t expecting. Always call companies including Alpine Bank by dialing the number you know to be legitimate.
• Never share personal financial information or passwords to anyone on the phone or online, regardless of who they claim to be. Like other banks, Alpine Bank will never ask you for your login credentials.
• Avoid clicking on ads on social media, and never do so from retailers you don’t know or for deals that seem too good to be true. (One way: Check out an unknown online retailer by searching for its name and the word “fraud” next to it.)
• Stick with trusted retailers and verify the websites you visit are legitimate and secure. Make double-sure the name of the website is correct, with the right spelling and that a padlock symbol appears in the web browser’s address bar.
• Monitor your bank and financial accounts regularly for unauthorized charges.
• Don’t succumb to pressure tactics demanding money or gift cards. If it’s too good to be true, it is.
• Report all suspicious activity including texts, emails, phone or video calls to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (https://www.ic3.gov/) or the Federal Trade Commission (https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/).
• Contact Alpine Bank immediately at 970-625-7174 or visit your local Alpine Bank branch if you suspect you have disclosed information concerning your Alpine Bank accounts.

For more information, please visit Alpine Bank’s fraud information webpage at https://www.alpinebank.com/fraud-prevention.

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Other scams:

• Dec. 3, 2024 from Denver7 — Highlands Ranch pastor, 92, shares warning after almost losing thousands of dollars to scammer
• Nov. 13, 2024 — Routt County warns of fraudulent vehicle titles
• Oct. 31, 2024 —Be aware of more scam attempts on local residents
• July 25, 2024 — Scam Alert for those sad posts of injured pets and lost kids
• Feb. 8, 2024 — Craig Police warns of fake temporary plates, possibly targeting Latinos
• Oct. 11, 2023 — Strong Tower group asked to leave Walmart in Craig
• Sept. 12, 2023 — SCAM tries to get you to order something to support “autistic son”
• Jan. 31, 2023 — Identity Theft Awareness Week
• May 24, 2024 — “Stand for the Silent” group asking for money is questioned by Steamboat Springs Police
• Sept. 12, 2021 — SSHS and MCHS football fans are being targeted with a scam