Ask HN: Do you have a family code word? (AI Hostage Scams)

by dsalzman on 9/19/2023, 2:59:27 PM with 2 comments
Does anyone have a special code word that you and only your family members know? A word that you can use to verify a real emergency situation.

I've been seeing more examples of people using AI voice cloning tools in money scams. [1]

Seems like a pretty effective and low effort strategy or am I missing something?

[1] https://nypost.com/2023/04/12/ai-clones-teen-girls-voice-in-1m-kidnapping-scam/

  • by JohnFen on 9/19/2023, 3:52:55 PM

    We don't, although I don't think anyone would be opposed to it. Instead, after experiencing a (non-AI-based) hostage scam, our practice is even easier. We call the purported victim directly to confirm or deny the situation.

  • by meristohm on 9/19/2023, 3:20:04 PM

    Makes sense, and seems easy enough to set up except for the barrier of people being uncomfortable talking about serious potentialities.

    In basic military training we used code words / challenge words at entry points as one half of two-factor authentication: I see your ID photo ~matches your face, and I hear your response, thus increasing the chances you are who you appear & claim to be.