Scammers are the plague of modern life. In an ever more digital world, we have to be constantly on alert for threats, aware that not everything may be as it first seems.
Now, some people fully alert to the tricks employed by scammers have decided to turn the tables by playing along and winding them up.
Some have even made a trend out of it, posting videos online as they turn the table and the scammers become scamees, if such a word existed. On TikTok, user Scam Baiter has clocked up four million likes for their ‘ethical hacking’ videos.
But while it might feel like getting your own back, interacting with scammers –even when you know what they’re up to – can still pose a security risk.
Marijus Briedis, a cybersecurity expert at NordVPN, explains why scam baiting might not quite be the revenge we all want.
Verifying your number
While the number one goal for a scam caller is to lure you into revealing some personal or financial information, even finding out if they have a valid number and that the person picks up the phone is a big win.
By responding and engaging in a scam call you are sending the message that you are available.
Scammers often maintain lists of active numbers, and your response may make you a target for more scam attempts or unwanted marketing calls. It’s a practice known as ‘number harvesting’ and it can increase the frequency of such calls.
Voice Cloning
Even though you might feel like you have the upper hand against the scammer, don’t underestimate the technology at their disposal.
If the call is recorded, and you give away a sample of what your voice sounds like, that could be used against you. Artificial intelligence has allowed cybercriminals to take advantage of a new type of fraud called ‘voice cloning’.
The sound of someone talking, whether on a video or a voice note, can be taken, analysed and cloned using cheap online AI software.
Your cloned voice is then used in a targeted attack to fool friends or family members. What may start as a harmless bit of fun could result in those nearest to you being successfully conned.
Don’t let anything slip
Scammers are experts at employing manipulation and social engineering techniques to extract personal information from their victims.
Although you might see these coming from a mile away, engaging in any conversation, even for amusement, increases the risk of inadvertently revealing details about yourself.
This information can then be exploited for identity theft and phishing attacks. Prank interactions with a scammer can turn into attempts to trick individuals into providing financial information.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that the caller may be using a premium number that costs you money to call them back and keep the joke going.
Avoid compromising your devices
Engaging with scam calls might lead to the distribution of harmful links or files that can compromise the security of your devices, potentially exposing sensitive information.
Some of the most viral scam baiting videos involve pretending as if you are clicking on the links they are sending you or directing you towards. By doing so, you could end up inadvertently falling victim to malware.
Make sure your devices are properly protected by keeping them up-to-date with the latest software and take added security precautions by using anti-malware tools like Threat Protection.
When things turn nasty
Scam callers are criminals and while they may be hiding behind a phone, or be thousands of miles away, they may still retaliate if they perceive that they are being played.
If your prank is exposed and they realise what you are up to, it could potentially lead to further harassment or exploitation. They may also double down their efforts in trying to contact you in future.
Prank calls, even those targeting scammers, may inadvertently cross legal boundaries.
The rise of ‘ethical hacking’ which sees social media users posting videos of them hacking into the CCTV cameras of scam call centres could also have legal implications.
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