Casey Holds Hearing on Role of Artificial Intelligence in Frauds and Scams

At hearing, Casey released annual Aging Committee Fraud Book

Hearing featured testimony from Pennsylvania AI-scam victim, as well as video where additional victims shared their stories

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging Chairman Bob Casey (D-PA) held a hearing entitled, “Modern Scams: How Scammers Are Using Artificial Intelligence & How We Can Fight Back.” The hearing examined how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be utilized by scammers to deploy scams and convince targets of their veracity, and how AI technology is being deployed to enhance the next generation of fraud detection systems.

During the hearing, Chairman Casey unveiled the Aging Committee’s annual Fraud Book, and also released a brochure on AI-powered scams and a bookmark featuring tips to avoid scams. Chairman Casey also plans to pursue efforts to ensure that the use of AI in scams is appropriately tracked by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

“Today, we heard disturbing testimony about scammers using artificial intelligence to make their ploys more life-like and convincing,” said Chairman Casey. “Any consumer, no matter their age, gender, or background, can fall victim to these ultra-convincing scams, and the stories we heard today from individuals across the country are heartbreaking. As a parent and grandparent, I relate to the fear and concern these victims must feel. Federal action is needed to put up guardrails to protect consumers from AI—while also empowering those that can use it for good.”

Chairman Casey invited Gary Schildhorn, a Philadelphia-area attorney and intended victim of an AI voice clone scam, to testify at the hearing. He testified, “There was no doubt in my mind that it was his voice on the phone—it was the exact cadence with which he speaks.  I sat motionless in my car just trying to process these events. How did they get my son’s voice? The only conclusion I can come up with is that they used artificial intelligence, or AI, to clone his voice…it is manifestly apparent that this technology…provide a riskless avenue for fraudsters to prey on us.”

The hearing also featured a video compiling the stories of several victims of AI scams. The full video can be viewed here.

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