According to Montrose Association of REALTORS® Association Executive Jacqueline Huff, AI-generated phone calls using foul and threatening language have surfaced in Montrose and appear to come from local real estate agents. Colorado Association of REALTORS® General Counsel Scott Peterson noted that hundreds and maybe thousands of licensees received an identical voicemail from an alleged licensee on Wednesday. It appeared to be widespread with recipients apparently all over the state.
An email from Huff said the modus operandi involves:
- Deepfakes: The attacker uses stolen identity information and voice recordings to create AI-generated calls that sound convincingly like the real person.
- Threats and abuse: These calls use offensive language and threatening messages, potentially aimed at clients, competitors, or other targets.
- Reputational Damage: These calls can seriously harm agents reputations and businesses.
Denver Metro Area Association of REALTORS® released a statement explaining that the calls were fraudulently attributed to a specific member’s phone number, and were auto-sent to DMAR members and the public.
Peterson recommends a recipient should delete the message or, if particularly concerned, to report it to non-emergency dispatch.