FRAUD

The Future of Fraud: AI-Powered Smart Glasses

Technology continues to evolve, creating new and innovative ways to simplify everyday tasks. One of the latest examples is AI-powered smart glasses.

While the first attempts at creating smart glasses date back to the 1960s, the creation and integration of AI technology in recent years have spurred rapid expansion across both industrial and consumer markets. In 2024, the market revenue for AI-powered smart glasses was reported to equal approximately $1.35 billion, while projections for 2032 estimate revenue of approximately $4.18 billion. For everyday consumers, these glasses offer a range of convenient features, allowing users to listen to music without headphones, read text messages, and use live translation. They can also take photos and record videos, making them a versatile tool for everyday use.

However, the same camera features that make these glasses convenient can also create opportunities for potential scams. Most AI-powered glasses have cameras that are built directly into the frame, allowing for discreet recording. There have been increasing reports of threat actors using AI-powered glasses to photograph debit cards or record people entering their PINs for transactions. This tactic is commonly known as shoulder surfing, which occurs when someone attempts to steal sensitive information by watching from nearby.

In addition to targeting payment information, threat actors may use these glasses to capture sensitive data from phones, computers or other devices. Images and video collected without permission could also be misused by replicating your voice or likeness in deepfakes.

Ways to Protect Yourself

• Be observant: Before entering personal information at an ATM, on a computer, or on your phone, check your surroundings. Scanning for anyone standing too close or trying to view your screen or keypad can protect your information.
• Cover the ATM keypad: When entering your PIN at an ATM, you can use your other hand to shield the keypad from anyone nearby.
• Use tap-to-pay: As tap-to-pay creates an encrypted connection and often eliminates the need to enter a PIN, you may use it to help reduce the chance of someone capturing your information.
• Enable transaction alerts: You may set up account alerts to quickly spot unauthorized charges or suspicious activity.
• Use privacy screens: As privacy screens limit the viewing angle of your device, you may use them to make it harder for people nearby to see or steal your sensitive information.
• Be wary of strangers: If a stranger approaches you at an ATM and offers help, consider this with caution. Sharing or exposing personal information in these situations may expose you to risk.
• Lock devices: Leaving devices unlocked can give threat actors quick access to sensitive information, especially in shared or public spaces. You may choose to lock your devices when you step away to block these individuals from accessing information.

AI-powered glasses are just one example of how emerging technology can be misused. Protecting your information starts with awareness, smart habits and staying alert to what is happening around you.

Sources:

https://www.congruencemarketinsights.com/report/ai-powered-marketsmart-glasses-market

https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/definition/shoulder-surfing

https://banna-tech.com/smart-glasses-history-evolution/https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/smart-glasses-raise-privacy-scam-215755231.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAE6IOOyPp34cMvArl_Lg8pyFH5_knapjfCwIbU3tbPFDl83l3m52xZK-3SgDJVN-bIMxA1dqRuFhOYrWYrpyMTu9X7KdxakeZysligvX6t08NYl5vxrjuE1KrH4LXL0KWUZ8cjMKopxRa-exFwgyJERMKSi1ScGxQFeOKUQUuev7