In the past few years, artificial intelligence technology has crossed a threshold, enabling people to be made to look and sound like others. A “deepfake” is fabricated, hyper-realistic digital media, including video, image, and audio content. Not only has this technology created confusion, skepticism, and the spread of misinformation, but deepfakes also pose a threat to privacy and security.

With the ability to convincingly impersonate anyone, cybercriminals can orchestrate phishing scams or identity theft operations with alarming precision. In a recent incident, cybercriminals posed as a company’s chief financial officer and other colleagues in a Zoom meeting. The elaborate scam resulted in a loss of $25 million. 

To help protect Stanford against similar attempts, below are some tips to identify and report deepfakes. 

What you should watch for: 

• Be wary of phone calls or videos that appear to come from trusted colleagues or senior executives when they involve unexpected demands or requests for financial transactions. 
• Take note of unusual, urgent requests to set up vendors, make purchases, process electronic fund transfers, or update accounts payable or banking information. 

What you should do: 

• If you have any doubts about the legitimacy of a request, pause and consult with others before proceeding. It’s always better to take a moment to verify than to fall victim to a fraudulent scheme.