Transcript
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Ralph: Have you ever answered your phone only to hear an automated voice trying to scam you?
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This is Ralph from the Ask Ralph Podcast, actually this is an AI clone of Ralph’s voice.
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It’s very scary just how easy it is to clone someone’s voice.
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Can you even tell the difference.
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So that was my AI voice clone.
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Interesting.
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Isn't it.
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Just think about how my voice could be used to create an AI robocall.
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In today's episode, we'll uncover the truth behind those annoying robo calls.
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And what Christians can do to protect themselves financially.
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As well as digitally.
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Welcome back to the show today on this technology Tuesday.
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Thanks for joining us today.
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As we explore the concerning rise of AI, robo calls, robocalls aren't anything new, but recent advances in artificial intelligence.
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Are making them more sophisticated.
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And more difficult to detect.
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Have you ever answered a call that sounded like a real person only to realize partway through that it was a recording designed to steal your information.
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These AI powered robo calls you speech synthesis to sound almost human.
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Some have even been trained to respond conversationally based on your replies.
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This makes them incredibly deceiving.
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The volume of robo calls also skyrocketing.
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It is estimated that Americans received 50 billion robocalls just last year.
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Many mimic legitimate businesses or government agencies to gain your trust.
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And the problem is once they have your hooked, they direct you to provide sensitive information or payment information.
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Well it's a cool morning on the farm.
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On my walk this morning, I had absolutely determined that it's a dog's requirement to jump into every single puddle they find.
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If you have dogs, do they do the same for you?
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Anyway, just some morning venting.
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Now, before we get started, let me remind you to subscribe to our show.
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You can do that at askralphpodcast.com . So you don't miss tomorrow's show where we're going to discuss weird business laws.
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Yes, I've assembled.
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Some weird business laws throughout.
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The world that we can discuss.
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So as we always do, let's start with a relevant Bible verse as Christians.
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We need to be on high alert against these deceptive practices of these robocalls.
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The Bible warns us that bad company, corrupts good character that's from first Corinthians chapter 15, verse 33.
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So what can we do to protect ourselves and malicious AI robocall scams.
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I'm going to give you three practical tips today.
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First.
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Be extremely cautious about answering calls from unknown numbers.
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For example on my cell phone.
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If I see the word unknown, I generally don't answer it.
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Let them leave a voicemail.
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Whenever possible legitimate callers will leave a message.
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If it's a legitimate call, they're going to leave you a message.
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Here's the second thing I recommend.
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Hang up immediately.
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If a recording starts.
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Pitching your products, services, or requests for personal information, don't engage at all.
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Even if it sounds official, just hang up.
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And third.
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Look into call blocking apps at set your phone to automatically block potential spam calls.
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Now I have a Verizon phone and one of the apps that's built in there is a robo call blocker.
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This can drastically cut down on interruptions.
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The truth is folks robocalls are more than just a nuisance.
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They can result in identity theft, financial fraud, and other harm.
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If you fall for their tactics.
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As Christians we're called to be wise and discerning when it comes to handling our resources.
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Proverbs chapter 27 verse 12 says the prudent, see danger and take refuge.
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But the simple, keep going and pay the penalty.
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Let's heed this warning and take appropriate precautions against robocall scams.
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The rise of deep fake technologies, making robocalls even more deceptive.
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Scammers can now use AI to imitate specific individuals, voices, and speech patterns.
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You heard that at the beginning of this.
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I was able to create a clone voice of myself.
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This means they can impersonate your loved ones, like grandchildren in distress.
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To manipulate you into spending money or sharing personal details.
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As Christians, we need extra discernment.
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Don't let the urgency or emotion override wisdom in that moment.
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Verifying identities before taking action.
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But the truth is folks.
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We can't become immobilized with fear.
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And though robo scams are on the rise.
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There are practical tools we can use to protect ourselves.
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So what are those practical steps?
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The first thing I do is I recommend downloading a spam call blocking app it's called N O M O R O B O or robo killer.
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That's N O M O R O B O.
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These use algorithm and crowdsource databases to identify likely scams.
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And block them from reaching your phone in a first place.
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Think of it as putting the spiritual armor of God against predatory practices on that's a Ephesians chapter six verse 11.
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And finally, and this one is vital considering adding your number to the national, do not call registry.
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The truth is folks legitimate businesses.
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Won't call numbers on that list.
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It's not going to stop illegal scammers, but should reduce solicitations.
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And then the thing that you need to do is report any robocall violations that you experience to authorities like the FCC or the FTC.
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That's the federal trade commission.
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To help crack down on these nuisances.
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The key is being prepared.
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Avoiding panic and using wisdom.
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We have nothing to fear when we walk into righteous.
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Just path of.
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God.
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Let's leverage all available resources to protect ourselves and our families from AI robocall scams, targeting our finances and our identities.
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With prudence and prayer, we can outsmart the scammers.
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Now, one of the things that I wanted to talk about today is many of us have elderly relatives who may fall victim to these scams.
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So I came up with some suggestions of how to protect those elderly folks in a first thing I think you should do is schedule a visit with them to walk through, setting up, call blocking features on their landline or on their cell phone.
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Many new phones have built in screening tools.
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You can enable together.
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They might be scared to tell you that they don't know how to work.
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That.
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So schedule a visit with them.
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It'd be a good time to catch up with them anyway and help them get set up to prevent these download one of those call blocking apps.
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Like I talked about YouMail or TruCaller.
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And create their account with them.
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Show them exactly how to use the app to automatically block potential spam calls.
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And at the same time, reassure them that you're there for them.
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If they need You You can sign them up for free services, like NOMOROBO that's at N O M O R O B O.
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That screens calls against known robo callers.
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Input their phone number for them.
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So calls are blocked at the carrier level, so they won't even see them.
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And while you're there, add their numbers to the national, do not call registry and state registries.
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This will limit those legal solicitation calls.
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Explain how to recognize common robocall tactics like calls from fake numbers that look local or claims of urgent needs.
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Tell them to hang up.
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They might see a call that's coming from an area code where their grandchildren live, or maybe it's where you live.
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And just explain to them that there are ways that people can spoof those numbers.
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Encourage them not to answer calls from unknown numbers.
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And let calls go to voicemail and only return messages left by real people.
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One of the things you can suggest is that they program your information in their phones so that your picture pops up when you call.
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If they do answer suspicious robocall, I advise them to hang up immediately without saying anything.
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So easy to get trapped in these scam calls.
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Tell them not to press any buttons or attempt to speak to an operator.
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Another thing you could consider is set a pin code on their accounts.
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In case of scammer, try social engineering to gain access By impersonating them or a loved one.
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Remind them to never give out sensitive information like social security numbers, credit card details, or online banking passwords over the phone.
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I see this time and time again in my practice with elderly folks.
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With patience and by equipping them with the right tools and knowledge.
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We can help elderly loved ones protect themselves from invasive AI phone scams.
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That are just looking to target their finances in their privacy.
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Now, before we wrap up on remind all of our listeners to visit our podcast page, that's at askralphpodcast.com
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there you can leave a review, share your thoughts, or even send us a message with questions for future episodes.
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As I always say, I love to hear from my listeners about what you'd like to hear on the show while you're there, make sure you join our email list.
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Enter into our weekly $25 Amazon gift card drawing.
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And if you need specific assistance from me, you can also schedule a consultation with me
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now, while we're here.
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If you know someone who has questions about these robocalls, or maybe they have elderly.
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Relative share this episode with them.
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We want to protect those people from scams.
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So here are a few final thoughts, to recap.
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What we covered today.
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AI advancements are making robocalls more deceptive and harder to detect.
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They often mimic humans or trusted entities.
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Billions of robocalls are bombarding Americans yearly.
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Their goal is to scam people through urgency, fear or appealing offers.
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So the key is never provide sensitive information or payments to any unsolicited caller hang up right away on suspicious robocalls.
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And as I said, You may want to look at call blocking technology to automatically divert likely spam calls before they interrupt you.
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Friends.
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Here's the truth.
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Staying vigilant against robocalls is key to stewarding our finances and identity wisely.
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Don't let scam artists gain a technological advantage over you.
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Take simple preventative steps to protect yourself.
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Again, visit, askralphpodcast.com for more financial tips from a Christian perspective.
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That's my goal here and join us next time.
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As we continue exploring the intersection of faith.
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And finance.
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So stay financially savvy and may God bless you abundantly.
