How to spot an AI voice scam
The short answer: if a call or voicemail sounds like someone you love and asks for money urgently, hang up and call them back on the number you already have. Scammers can copy a voice from a short recording, so a familiar voice is not proof.
Try this, step by step
- Pause. Urgency is the trick. Real emergencies can survive a two-minute check.
- Hang up. Do not stay on the line, and do not press any numbers.
- Call back using the contact saved in your phone, not a number the caller gave you.
- Ask something only they would know, or use your family safe word (see below).
- Never pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency because someone on the phone asked you to. Those are favorite requests of scammers.
Set up a family safe word today. Pick a word or phrase only your family knows. Do not post it online. If anyone calls in an emergency, ask for it.
What to say to a worried parent
"If anyone calls sounding like me and asks for money, hang up and call me back. I would rather you check ten times than miss once."
If it already happened
Contact your bank right away, then report the scam to the FTC. Reporting helps others and can help investigators.