Deepfake of consumer adviser Clark Howard promoted auto-insurance site
An AI-generated deepfake video impersonating consumer adviser Clark Howard was posted on social media to promote an auto-insurance quote website. A woman who saw the video thought it was genuine advice from Howard until she was warned in the comments, and another user reported that similar websites did not deliver promised savings.
What happened
An AI-generated deepfake video was posted on social media showing an imitation of consumer adviser Clark Howard recommending an auto-insurance quote website. The video stated: "Zero fees, zero catch. You just answer a few questions about your car, and it pulls your real rate."
A Kennesaw resident saw the video and initially believed it was authentic guidance from Howard. After seeing a warning comment from another user who had visited a similar website, she learned the video was not from the real Howard.
Reported impact
The user who visited a similar website reported: "Immediately, I started getting calls from anybody and everybody and nobody had a better deal."
Clark Howard said: "Somebody could get ripped off and think they're seeing me say, 'Hey, this is a great thing.'" He noted it was "really creepy" to watch an AI imitation of himself and that "It's so easy to create these fakes."
Index analysis
The deepfake was convincing enough that viewers initially believed they were watching genuine advice from a trusted consumer adviser. The video's claims of zero fees and automatic rate comparison would appeal to consumers seeking cheaper insurance.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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