A recent survey conducted by Moonlock reveals that more than half of Americans have encountered political scams, indicating widespread concerns amidst the US election season. The survey aimed to shed light on the patterns and trends of fraud and misinformation prevalent in the country. With cybersecurity experts warning about the potential impact of disinformation and deepfake technologies on the upcoming presidential election, the timing of the survey is particularly pertinent.
The findings highlight a concerning lack of awareness among Americans regarding the nature of political scams, with 64% of respondents admitting they had never heard about scams involving deepfakes of politicians or were unsure about how they work. Despite this, the majority expressed confidence in identifying fraudulent content, raising concerns about a false sense of security. Moonlock emphasizes the importance of individuals being prepared to counter digital threats, especially given the evolving landscape of online manipulation.
Interestingly, the survey also reveals that younger Americans are more susceptible to scams, particularly on social media and dating platforms. While most individuals do not engage with scammers, a significant portion still interacts with them, leading to negative outcomes. Additionally, the preferred medium for scammers remains email, although voice cloning technology in phone calls is gaining momentum. As digital threats continue to evolve, initiatives like Meta’s implementation of “Made with AI” labels aim to address concerns about digitally altered media on social media platforms.
