A deepfake is fake video, image, or audio created with artificial intelligence to look real. The technology is increasingly easy to access, so the risk no longer threatens only public figures but also companies and business owners.
Scams to watch for: fraudsters imitate the voice or face of a manager, partner, or vendor to request an urgent transfer, change payment account details, or ask for confidential company data.
1. Verify through a second channel. Confirm every transfer request or bank detail change through a different channel, for example by calling back a number already on record, not the one given in the message.
2. Require layered approval. Transactions above a set amount should need approval from more than one person. It is a simple procedure, but very effective at preventing losses.
3. Agree on an internal verification code. A secret word or question known only to your team can confirm that the person you are talking to is who they claim to be, especially for urgent requests.
4. Train staff to spot red flags. Watch for extreme urgency, requests to keep something secret, odd video or audio quality, and unusual changes to procedures.
5. Keep a clear transaction trail. Systems with approval workflows and recorded activity history make every transaction easier to trace and oversee.
Detection technology keeps improving, but clear procedures and alert employees remain the best defense for your business.
Illustrative photo: Evgeny Ozerov via Unsplash.
