Am I being paranoid?

[CruelGecko]

I’ve been scambaiting for at least 25 years, well before 419eater even existed. I don’t say that to brag but rather to show I know how to protect myself. Once I discovered 419eater I was humbled by what some of you have done!

I worked in a demanding career and the time I could devote to this hobby was often limited. I am now retired and planning to get back into the hobby. In the past I mostly avoided phone calls, partly because they were traceable without taking relatively expensive precautions. These days though there are reasonable inexpensive options so I am trying to develop my going-forward process. I’m comfortable with the cost and security of a burner phone line.

But my concern, and feel free to say I’m being paranoid, is that deep fakes, face recognition, and widespread AI voice fakes are becoming very common and I’m not sure I want my face and voice out there even if it is connected to a fake persona. I realize the average lad will not have access to this kind of technology but some of the organized crime networks and state actors will, at least soon.

What do folks think about this and the potential future? For me it is not a major fear but it is a factor in my decision of how to proceed. Ultimately I will make my own decision but I am interested in thoughts.

[bware419ers]

I use to have that exact same paranoia, but I make calls these days. Not all the time, but some, using a Text Now number. But, I typically only use this as a "convincer" to show I'm real. Then everything returns to social media or email. That way I control the narrative.

[CruelGecko]

Thank you. I appreciate your response if only to know I'm not completely crazy. I've made the decision for myself to (cautiously) engage in phone conversations going forward and now have phone numbers for two of my personas that I do not think can be reasonably traced to me. The app I used let me sign up without my real number or identity verification for US phone numbers. I would have had to verify my identity for a UK number.

I'm currently in a bait for past scam victim compensation from the United Nations. My victim persona is trekking right now and only reachable by satellite phone with his lawyer and preplanned times of day. The lad has his lawyer's number (who has full power of attorney including banking authority) but so far has not called. She assured the lad that he has no problem paying transfer fees since, because of his substantial deposits, the bank always reimbures fees, even those of other banks.

In any case, the decision to slightly expose was entirely mine but I appreciate the comment.