Devon RCMP provide tips to protect against AI-based cyber-crime

DEVON -- A continued rise in online criminal activity has prompted a warning from the Devon RCMP.

Mounties remind residents to build safe online habits as cyber-criminals utilize new tools to target individuals. These tools include rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, which can be used to manipulate photos and clone voices. Police say short voice clips, video messages, and livestreams can all be used to create AI-generated impersonations.

According to RCMP, these emerging trends highlight the importance of protecting your online presence and being mindful of what you post, especially when it involves children, family members, or identifiable personal details.

Devon RCMP encourages residents to consider the following safer online practices:

• Avoid posting personal details such as your home address, workplace, daily routines, travel plans, or financial information. Even small pieces of data can be used to build a profile for fraud or identity theft.
• Think carefully before posting or sharing identifiable photos of minors. Once an image is online, you lose control over how it may be used, saved, or altered. Consider using private sharing platforms or reducing the number of images posted publicly.
• Review social-media privacy settings at least once a year. Ensure only trusted individuals can see your posts, photos, and personal information. Adjust tagging permissions so you can approve what others share about you.
• Short voice clips, video messages, and livestreams can all be used to create AI-generated impersonations. Be cautious about posting audio or video that includes your full voice, your child’s voice, or private conversations.
• Protect email, banking, and social-media accounts with long, complex passwords. Enable two-factor authentication whenever possible to prevent unauthorized access.
• If you receive a call claiming to be a family member who needs money urgently, hang up and verify the situation through a trusted number. Do not rely on caller ID or voice recognition alone.
• Young people are often targeted for image manipulation, cyberbullying, and scams. Encourage open conversations about what they post, who they interact with, and how to report anything suspicious.

For more online safety tips, you can visit @RCMPinAlberta on Facebook and @RCMPAlberta on X.