Deepfakes: How to Spot Them Before They Fool You

With over 20 years protecting Houston businesses from social engineering attacks, Elevate Technology is seeing deepfake technology emerge as one of the most dangerous tools in a cybercriminal's arsenal. In Houston's finance, legal, and executive circles, AI-generated audio and video can convincingly impersonate your CEO, your CFO, or your bank's relationship manager — making it nearly impossible for employees to distinguish a real call from a fraudulent one based on voice or appearance alone.

Deepfakes are no longer the stuff of sci-fi—they’re here, and they’re dangerous. Bad actors are using them to spread misinformation, ruin reputations, and even manipulate financial markets. And yes, they’re a favorite tool in phishing attacks too.

The question is, can you spot one before it’s too late? Knowing the different types of deepfakes—and their telltale signs—can save you from falling victim to these digital deceptions.

What Are the Different Types of Deepfakes (And How Do You Spot Them)?

1. Face-Swapping Deepfakes

This is the most common type of deepfake. Imagine someone’s face seamlessly superimposed onto someone else’s body in a video. With today’s sophisticated AI tools, these can be scarily convincing—especially in high-quality footage.

Here’s how to spot them:

• Look for inconsistencies: Check lighting, skin tones, and facial expressions. Do they look natural? Glitches like hair not moving realistically or slight misalignments around the face and neck are red flags.
• Check the source: Did this video come from a reputable news site, or some random social media account? Always verify the source before believing what you see.
• Listen closely: Does the voice match the person’s usual tone, pitch, or accent? Any incongruences could signal a fake.

2. Deepfake Audio

Deepfake audio is all about synthetic voice recordings that mimic someone’s speech patterns and intonations. Scammers use this to create fake audio messages or frame people for things they never said.

Here’s how to catch them:

• Focus on audio quality: Deepfake audio often sounds robotic or slightly off. Look out for strange pauses, inconsistent pronunciation, or odd emphasis.
• Compare the content: Does the message make sense coming from this person? Does it fit the context, or seem out of character?
• Seek verification: Is there any independent evidence backing up the claims? If not, treat it with skepticism.

3. Text-Based Deepfakes

Text-based deepfakes are the newest players in the game. AI generates written content—think social media posts, articles, or emails—designed to mimic someone’s writing style. These are especially dangerous for spreading misinformation or impersonating individuals online.

Spot them by doing the following:

• Read critically: Check the writing style, tone, and vocabulary. Do they match what you’d expect? Unusual phrasing or grammatical errors could be clues.
• Check factual accuracy: Cross-check the information against trusted sources. Don’t take the content at face value.
• Be wary of emotional triggers: Scammers love content that stirs up outrage, fear, or anger. If something feels emotionally manipulative, step back and think critically.

4. Deepfake Videos with Object Manipulation

These deepfakes don’t stop at faces or voices—they go after objects in video footage. From altering appearances to fabricating events, bad actors use these to create visual lies.

Here’s how to spot them:

• Observe physics and movement: Do objects move naturally? Are lighting and shadows consistent? Watch for sudden size changes or anything that defies the laws of physics.
• Find the original footage: If possible, track down the source video and compare it to what you’re seeing. Spotting edits is often easier when you have the real thing as a reference.

In today’s digital age, staying vigilant is your best defense. Learn the warning signs, apply critical thinking, and always verify information through reliable sources. It’s the only way to stay a step ahead of deepfake scams.

Deepfake Detection for Houston Businesses: Frequently Asked Questions

What are deepfake attacks in a business context?

Business-targeted deepfakes use AI-generated audio or video to impersonate a trusted person — typically an executive, vendor, or financial institution contact — for fraudulent purposes. The most common use cases are: (1) Voice-cloned phone calls to authorize fraudulent wire transfers (often combined with a spoofed email); (2) Deepfake video calls impersonating executives in "urgent" requests; and (3) AI-generated audio used in voicemails requesting sensitive information or action. These attacks target employees in finance, HR, and administrative roles who are trained to respond quickly to executive requests.

How can I tell if a video call or phone call is AI-generated?

No single tell is definitive, but look for: unnatural blinking patterns or lip sync in video; audio artifacts like slight metallic tone, robotic cadence, or background silence that seems too perfect; unusual urgency that pressures immediate action without verification; and requests made through new or unexpected communication channels. The most reliable defense isn't detection — it's process: any request for financial action or sensitive data should be verified through a second channel (call back on a known number, send a Slack message, walk over to the person's desk).

What's the relationship between deepfake attacks and the AI Invoice Fraud post?

They're often the same attack. Deepfake audio is frequently the "confirmation layer" in AI-powered invoice fraud — an employee receives a spoofed email requesting a wire transfer, then gets a phone call in the CFO's voice to "confirm" it. Training your Houston team to recognize both layers — the phishing email and the deepfake call — is the most effective defense. See our guide on AI Invoice Fraud protection for Texas finance teams.

Related services from Elevate Technology:

• Managed Cybersecurity Services Houston
• Security Awareness Training