Industry experts have highlighted a worrying new trend in ways to beat sophisticated identity verification processes. A recent investigation shows that fraudsters have turned to AI and deepfake technology to beat identification checks. Scammers are helped in their activities by the fact that a third of Brits share sensitive documents online without protection. Data indicates that people aged 18 to 24 are most at risk of being hit by a scam, with 48% of them admitting to having shared ID documents via risky channels like email, social media, or messaging apps.

Although 45% of Brits say that they are aware that sharing images or scans of ID documents online could lead to fraud, 33% still do so. Also, less than a third of the British public say that they fully understand what deepfakes are and the risks they entail. Deepfakes are highly convincing videos, photos, or audio clips that mimic real people.

What are the Risks of Forged Documents?

According to industry experts, the general public’s lack of concern or awareness about digitally generated images or videos is alarming. AI technology is progressing rapidly, and although most people have heard about it in a general sense, they are unaware of what AI can be used to do. Experts advise against sending scans or photos of driving licences or passports through unencrypted channels like social media or email.

High-tech criminals can try to use AI and deepfake technology to create realistic forged documents and videos to trick traditional identification verification methods. Their end game is to try to open bank accounts or apply for credit cards. Phishing attacks, where you are encouraged to log into a fake website and share personal details, have become harder to detect due to fewer spelling and grammar errors, thanks to AI generated text.

Staying Safe from ID Scammers

If this all sounds scary, then don’t panic. Although there is growing concern about what AI can do in the wrong hands, there is still plenty you can do to protect yourself and keep your personal information and identity documents secure. To protect sensitive documents you should:

• Keep devices up to date. Always update the operating system on your phone when prompted to do so, and make sure to install updates on your laptop or tablet.
• Avoid sharing too much information openly, whether in real life, or on social media. Look at your privacy settings on social media where you share personal photos, and think carefully about the people who you have connected to.
• Try to use sites which make use of advanced biometric security systems which look for facial movements like blinks, as these are less likely to be fooled by stolen photos or deepfake images.

There are many situations in which you will be asked to prove your identity, such as when starting a new job, or when applying to rent a new property. If you are being asked to upload images of your identity documents and a selfie by other sites, always question whether the request is genuine.