How to Protect Yourself From AI Voice Cloning Scams

Scammers can now fake a family member's voice using AI — learn how this scam works and the one question that can stop it.

In this guide (5 steps):

1.Understand how the scam works
2.Set up a family code word right now
3.Hang up and call back on the real number
4.Never send money through gift cards or wire transfer
5.Report the call to the FTC

Understand how the scam works

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The scammer calls you and you hear what sounds like your son, daughter, or grandchild saying they're in an emergency — a car accident, an arrest, a hospital visit. They say "Don't call anyone else, they'll make it worse." Then a second voice (pretending to be a lawyer, bail bondsman, or police officer) comes on and explains how to send money immediately. The entire "emergency" is fake.

Warning

The fake voice sounds incredibly realistic. AI voice-cloning software can copy someone's voice from just 3-10 seconds of audio, which anyone can find in a social media video or voicemail.

Set up a family code word right now

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Before you ever get a suspicious call, agree on a secret word or short phrase with your close family members — your children, grandchildren, or anyone who might call you in an emergency. This could be anything: a childhood nickname, a favorite food, a pet's name. If you ever receive a scary call, ask the person for the family code word. A real family member will know it. A scammer will not.

Quick Tip

Do not post your code word on social media or share it with anyone outside your immediate family. Keep it private.

Hang up and call back on the real number

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If you receive a call like this and feel scared, take a breath and hang up. Then look up your family member's real phone number in your contacts and call them directly. In almost every case, they will answer and have no idea what you're talking about — because the "emergency" never happened. Even if it takes five minutes to reach them, that five-minute delay is much better than sending thousands of dollars to a scammer.

Never send money through gift cards or wire transfer

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Scammers always request payment in ways that cannot be reversed: gift cards (they ask you to read the numbers on the back), wire transfer, Zelle, or cryptocurrency. No legitimate emergency ever requires gift cards as payment. No real lawyer, bail bondsman, or government official will ever ask you to pay with iTunes cards or Google Play cards.

Report the call to the FTC

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Whether or not you sent any money, report voice cloning scam calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps the Federal Trade Commission track these operations and warn other people. If you did send money, also contact your bank immediately — some wire transfers can be reversed if reported within 24 hours.

Quick Tip

The AARP Fraud Watch Network helpline at 1-877-908-3360 is free and has fraud specialists available to talk through what happened and advise on next steps.

You Did It!

You've completed: How to Protect Yourself From AI Voice Cloning Scams

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A new type of phone scam uses artificial intelligence to clone a family member's voice. Scammers record just a few seconds of your grandchild or child talking — often from a social media video — and use a computer program to fake their voice on a phone call. You'll hear what sounds exactly like your loved one saying they're in trouble and need money right away.

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