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Welcome to the new frontier of fraud—where generative AI is arming scammers with the tools to create shockingly realistic impersonations, AKA deepfakes.
Deepfakes are AI-generated videos, images, or audio clips that convincingly imitate a real person’s face, expressions, or voice. Created using deep learning techniques, they often use swapped faces, synthesized speech, and altered footage. Deepfakes are created so seamlessly that they’re nearly identical to genuine content.
READ MORE | What are deepfakes? How they work and how to spot them
According to the National Consumers League, as developers rush to release their AI products, not all of them are implementing checks to prevent misuse of their services.
Generative AI is giving scammers a powerful new toolkit. With just a few clicks, they can generate realistic scripts for almost any situation and clone voices that sound eerily human. These tools can even tailor language to match regional slang, mimic specific accents, or replicate a loved one’s voice. The result? Impersonation scams that feel more personal, more local—and far more convincing, whether they’re posing as a government official or a trusted family member...or even, yes, your favorite bank teller.
In a bank impersonation scam, scammers pretend to be from a bank and request your personal information, like Social Security numbers, credit card or debit card numbers, or your bank account passwords. The text message often looks like a bank security message and tries to create a sense of urgency to encourage you to provide your personal information.
No matter the scenario, the goal is the same: to trick you into handing over money or information by sounding just believable enough.
According to information recently published by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024. The second highest category of reported losses came from imposter scams.
When you get a message that makes you worry, take your time and call your bank directly, using a phone number that you are familiar with, like the number provided on your debit or credit card. Do not use a phone number provided by someone you are unfamiliar with or that you think may be a scammer. As an alternative, contact the FDIC before you provide any information when something does not seem right.
READ MORE | Bank impersonation scams and fake banks
Keep the following tips in mind:
☑️ Double check before acting.
If someone calls or messages you with a request, verify that it is actually from them. For example, if you receive a phone call, send the person a text message to confirm.
☑️ Get a second opinion.
Ask a trusted individual if the situation seems authentic.
☑️ Minimize the amount of publicly available content, including your voice.
While not always possible, making it harder for bad actors to obtain a sample of your voice for cloning can limit their options. For example, you might avoid using a custom voicemail greeting.
Report the Scam
- Contact your bank immediately if you suspect you have been financially impacted by an impersonation scam.
- File a complaint at Fraud.org. They will share your complaint with their network of consumer protection agencies and law enforcement partners.
- Report it to the FBI. Click here to report directly to the agency.
- Inform the FTC.
Heartland Has Your Back
While technology continues to evolve, so do the tactics of scammers—and we’re staying one step ahead. Our HB Team actively monitors for threats, invests in advanced fraud detection tools, and provides education to help you spot impersonation scams and deepfakes before they cause harm.
You can count on us to protect what matters most—your money, your identity, and your peace of mind. And if something doesn’t feel right, we’re just a phone call away.
Heartland Bank is a family-owned bank located in 15 communities across the heart of Nebraska. Its vision is to improve the lives of customers, associates, and communities. Heartland Bank is a six-time recipient of American Bankers' Best Banks to Work For award.
