Aussies warned of AI-generated misinformation about super, road rules and pension changes
Australians have been warned about a rise in misleading and fake AI-generated posts online.
Posts circulating online indicate that significant road rules changes will be introduced for drivers over 65 from April 1.
Some websites also claimed that pension laws and old-age pension changes would come into force from Wednesday.
However, these changes are false information and were created using artificial intelligence.
There will be no new laws or changes for road users over the age of 65, and the last adjustment to the old-age pension was made on March 20.
Misinformation produced by artificial intelligence is spreading on the internet
This isn’t the first time AI-generated misinformation has caused concern among Australians online.
Last year, similar AI-generated misinformation about road rule changes spread online; One of them was information claiming that drivers over the age of 60 were subject to “night driving restrictions” and that they were prohibited from driving on the road between 22:00 and 05:00.
The AI-generated post claimed the rules were introduced because drivers over the age of 60 experience “slower reaction times, glare sensitivity and fatigue when driving after dark” and that “limiting night driving for older (over 60) drivers will help reduce risks, particularly on motorways and rural roads where visibility is lower.”
Transport authorities, including Transport for NSW and the National Highways and Motorists Association (NRMA), quickly denied these claims and marked them as false.
“This fake news was shared widely online and caused distress for those who believed the allegations were true,” a Western Australian Department of Major Infrastructure spokesman said in September.
AI-driven scams are on the rise across Australia
The latest round of AI-generated misinformation comes as new reports reveal Australians lost more than $2 billion to fraud last year.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) report stated that artificial intelligence is one of the most important factors in the increase in online frauds.
“As Australia, and indeed the world, faces the increasing sophistication of fraudulent activity through artificial intelligence and the industrialization of criminal organizations through fraudulent compounds, it is clear that more needs to be done quickly and at scale,” said ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe.
extreme tactics
AI-generated scams are among other tactics, including phishing and cloning of banking protocols, used to trick Australians into giving their money to scammers.
A joint report from the Australian Federal Police and the Commonwealth Bank said some fraudsters used extreme tactics to secure the money, such as bypassing security checks by copying the bank’s hold music.
AFP Detective Inspector Marie Andersson said fraudsters were often tech-savvy and able to present themselves as a voice of authority.
“Fraudsters approach victims armed and ready, using secure information such as names, dates of birth, account details and bank balances obtained through previous cyber attacks or data breaches.
“This allows fraudsters to establish trust and legitimacy with their victims and gain additional information or access to complete their fraud.”
Another popular method scammers use to bypass security and steal Australians’ money is by working in pairs.
“One fraudster contacts a bank and poses as the victim, while at the same time another fraudster calls the victim and poses as a representative of the banking provider,” said Inspector Andersson.
“Using information from both interviews, they were able to bypass security checks and create credible-looking ‘evidence’.”
Inspector Andersson said pressure is one of the most important signs to look out for when dealing with banks.
If a bank teller cold-calls a customer or tries to rush them into an instant decision, it could be a scam.
“Cold contact from a banking provider via call, text or email, coupled with undue pressure to act quickly and hand over personal information, should be considered a potential fraud,” he said.
