The Unlikely Hero of the Digital Age
In a bold move against scammers, Virgin Media O2 has developed an AI-generated ‘grandma’ named Daisy. Her sole mission is to waste the time of fraudsters, keeping real people from falling victim to their scams.
Since her launch on November 14, Daisy has already engaged in over 1,000 conversations with scammers, some lasting up to 40 minutes. By feigning tech-illiteracy and sharing irrelevant stories about her grandchildren, Daisy is frustrating fraudsters at every turn.
How Daisy Works
Daisy’s process is simple yet effective:
Voice-to-Text Translation
Daisy listens to the scammer’s voice and converts it to text in real-time. This allows her to quickly identify the scam type and generate a suitable response.
Scam-Specific Training
Based on her training and database of known scams, Daisy identifies the scam type and generates a suitable response. This ensures she is always one step ahead of the scammers.
Text-to-Speech Conversion
Daisy replies with her distinct grandma-like voice, keeping the scammer engaged for as long as possible. This entire process happens in seconds, with no human intervention required.
Number Seeding: The Tactic Behind Daisy’s Success
Virgin Media O2 used a tactic called number seeding to ensure scammers call Daisy. They placed Daisy’s phone number on ‘mugs lists’ – databases of potential scam targets used by U.K. fraudsters. This ensures Daisy gets plenty of calls, keeping scammers busy.
Raising Awareness About Fraud
Daisy is not just about wasting scammers’ time; Virgin Media O2 also hopes to raise awareness about the growing threat of fraud. As Murray Mackenzie, director of fraud at Virgin Media O2, reminds consumers:
"Daisy is also a reminder that no matter how persuasive someone on the other end of the phone may be, they aren’t always who you think they are."
The Alarming Reality: Fraud Stats
Virgin Media O2’s research reveals that 69% of Brits have been targeted by scams. In addition, the company intercepted over £250 million ($260 million) in fraudulent transactions last year.
However, fraud remains a significant issue, with organized crime groups running professional call centers to target consumers relentlessly. The problem is not limited to the U.K.; it’s a global issue.
The Global Scam Epidemic
In the U.S., Americans receive an average of 2.9 billion spam calls per month, equating to eight spam calls per user, per month (TrueCaller). While there’s no American equivalent to Daisy, U.S. phone companies offer call screening software that flags potential scams.
Google’s AI-Powered Scam Detection
Recently, Google announced a new AI feature for its Pixel phones, which analyzes calls for scam-like behavior, such as urgent money requests or attempts to obtain sensitive information.
Staying Vigilant: Tips from Virgin Media O2
As scammers and phone companies continue to innovate with AI, the responsibility of staying vigilant falls on consumers. Virgin Media O2 offers the following tips to avoid falling victim to scams:
- Never share full passwords, one-time passcodes, or bank details over the phone.
- Be cautious of links sent via text or email; always verify their legitimacy before clicking.
- If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
The Future of Fraud Prevention: AI-Powered Scam Detection
Daisy highlights how AI can be leveraged not just for convenience but for societal benefit. By keeping scammers occupied, she protects potential victims and raises awareness about the ever-growing threat of fraud.
As fraud prevention tools like Daisy and Google’s AI advance, the hope is that scammers will face increasing challenges in targeting consumers. Until then, vigilance remains the best defense.
Conclusion
Daisy, the AI-generated ‘grandma’, is a shining example of how technology can be used to combat crime. By wasting scammers’ time and raising awareness about fraud, Daisy protects potential victims and helps keep them safe from harm. As we move forward in this digital age, it’s more important than ever to stay vigilant and protect ourselves against the growing threat of scams.
Editor’s Note
This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.
Sources:
- Virgin Media O2
- TrueCaller