Aussies have been warned about a rise in misleading and false AI-generated posts online.
Posts circulating online have indicated that major road rule changes would be introduced to drivers over 65 from April 1.
Some websites have also claimed superannuation laws and aged pension changes would be coming into effect from Wednesday.
However, these changes are misinformation and created using artificial intelligence.
No new laws or changes are coming for road users over the age of 65, and the last adjustment to the age pension was made on March 20.
AI-generated misinformation spreading online
This is not the first time AI-generated misinformation has sparked concern among Australians online.
Last year, similar AI-generated misinformation spread online about road rule changes, including one that claimed drivers over the age of 60 had been hit with “night driving restrictions”, banning them from driving on the road between 10pm and 5am.
The AI-generated post claimed the rules were being introduced because drivers over 60 had “slower reaction times, glare sensitivity, and fatigue when driving after dark” and “limiting night driving for drivers aged (over 60) will help reduce risks, particularly on highways and rural roads where visibility is lower”.
Transport authorities, including Transport for NSW and the National Roads and Motorists Association (NRMA), quickly refuted these claims and flagged them as false.
“This fabricated news has been shared extensively online and resulted in distress for those who believe the claims are true,” a West Australia Department of Major Infrastructure spokesperson said in September.
AI-generated scams on the rise across Australia
The latest round of AI-generated misinformation comes as new reports reveal Aussies lost more than $2bn to scams last year.
An Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) report said AI was one of the key drivers for the rise in online scams.
“As Australia, and indeed the world, faces increasing sophistication in scam activity through artificial intelligence and the industrialisation of criminal syndicates through scam compounds, it is clear more needs to be done, quickly and at scale,” ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe said.
Extreme tactics
The AI-generated scams are among other tactics, including phishing and replicating bank protocols, used to trick Australians into giving the scammers their money.
A joint report from the Australian Federal Police and Commonwealth Bank noted that some scammers used extreme tactics to secure money, such as replicating a bank’s hold music so they bypassed security checks.
The scammers are often tech-savvy and can often present themselves as voices of authority,” AFP Detective Superintendent Marie Andersson said.
“Scammers approach victims armed and ready using secure information such as their name, date of birth, account details, and bank balances, acquired through previous cyber attacks or data breaches.
“This allows scammers to build trust and legitimacy with their victim and acquire additional information or access to complete their scam.”
Anther popular method for scammers to bypass security and steal Australians’ money is by working in pairs.
“One scammer will contact a bank and pretend to be the victim, while concurrently, another scammer is calling the victim and pretending to be a representative of the banking provider,” Superintendent Andersson explained.
“Using information they gain through both conversations, they can then bypass security checks and create ‘proof’ that seems credible.”
Superintendent Andersson said pressure was one of the key signs to watch for when dealing with banks.
If the bank teller cold calls a customer or is trying to rush them into making a decision on the spot, it may be a scam.
“Cold contact from a banking provider via call, text or email, combined with an extreme pressure to act quickly and hand over personal information, should be treated as a potential scam,” she said.
