AI-Powered Fraud Prevention: Telecom Giant Blocks Millions of Scam Calls
In a significant move to combat the rising tide of phone scams, a major telecommunications company has deployed advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology to protect its customers. This innovative approach has successfully thwarted millions of fraudulent calls in just four months, marking a substantial leap forward in consumer protection efforts.
The AI-powered tool, introduced in May, has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in identifying and blocking both scam and spam calls. In its initial four-month deployment, the system intercepted an impressive 20.1 million malicious calls, comprising 2.7 million scam calls and 17.7 million nuisance spam calls. Projections suggest that this technology could prevent over 60 million scam calls from reaching landline users annually, averaging about 5 million blocked calls per month.
This initiative is particularly crucial for older adults, who remain primary targets for phone-based “vishing” scams. With four out of five people over 65 in the UK still relying on landlines, this demographic stands to benefit significantly from enhanced call screening. The timing of this technological rollout is strategic, as scam activities typically intensify in the lead-up to the holiday season.
The introduction of this AI system comes at a critical time, as sophisticated scams utilizing AI voice cloning technology are on the rise. These scams involve fraudsters using advanced techniques to replicate a person’s voice from brief audio samples, enabling them to impersonate family members and request urgent financial assistance under false pretenses.
Technologies Used:
- AI-Powered Call Monitoring: An artificial intelligence system that analyzes incoming calls to detect potential scams and spam, providing real-time warnings to users.
- Machine Learning: Technology that continuously improves scam detection capabilities by learning from each encountered malicious call.
- Digital Voice Service: An advanced landline system that integrates AI-powered call protection features.
Companies Involved:
- BT (British Telecom): The telecommunications company implementing the AI-powered scam prevention technology on its landline services.
- Hiya: The US-based protection company providing the AI technology powering the scam prevention tool.
Sustainability Focus:
- Consumer Protection: Enhances safety for vulnerable populations, particularly older adults, against financial fraud and scams.
- Social Responsibility: Demonstrates corporate commitment to addressing societal issues like phone fraud, which disproportionately affects certain demographics.
- Technological Innovation for Social Good: Utilizes cutting-edge AI technology to solve a pressing social problem, showcasing how innovation can be directed towards improving quality of life.
SDGs Impacted:
- SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure): Promotes technological innovation in telecommunications infrastructure to enhance consumer safety.
- SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Helps protect vulnerable populations, particularly older adults, from financial exploitation, thereby reducing social inequalities.
- SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): Contributes to building safer communities by combating fraud and enhancing trust in communication systems.
Geographic Focus: United Kingdom
Industry Focus: Telecommunications, Cybersecurity
Source: This is Money
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