PHONE scammers have become a persistent problem internationally with countless individuals being targetted by fraudsters.
To counter this growing threat, a UK telecommunications provider has introduced a unique solution: an AI granny named Daisy.
Is it true that a UK telco has enlisted such an unlikely solution to such a big problem?
Verdict:
TRUE
Yes, it's true! Virgin Media O2, A UK-based telecommunications provider, has taken an innovative step in the battle against fraud by introducing Daisy, an AI-powered Granny.
Daisy's mission is to engage scammers in lengthy conversations, distracting them from targeting real victims.
As part of O2’s ongoing “Swerve the Scammers” campaign, Scambaiter Daisy was created in response to the telco's research that showed 7 in 10 (71%) of Brits would like to get their own back against scammers that have tried to trick them or their loved ones.
However, not wanting to waste their own time ranked as the top reason why the public wouldn’t bait scammers themselves (53%).
After several weeks of taking calls, the AI Scambaiter told frustrated scammers meandering stories of her family, talked at length about her passion for knitting and provided exasperated callers with false personal information including made-up bank details.
By tricking the criminals into thinking they were defrauding a real person and playing on scammers' biases about older people, Daisy has prevented them from targeting real victims and, most importantly, has exposed the common tactics used so customers can better protect themselves
"We’re committed to playing our part in stopping the scammers, investing in everything from firewall technology to block out scam texts to AI-powered spam call detection to keep our customers safe," said Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud at Virgin Media O2, in a statement on Nov 14.
“The newest member of our fraud-prevention team, Daisy, is turning the tables on scammers – outsmarting and outmanoeuvring them at their own cruel game simply by keeping them on the line.
“But crucially, Daisy is also a reminder that no matter how persuasive someone on the other end of the phone may be, they aren’t always who you think they are," he said.
References:
1. https://news.virginmediao2.
