AI Voice Scams: Is That Really Your Loved One?

Imagine answering your phone and hearing your grandchild's voice. They sound frightened and tell you they've been in an accident, are in jail, or need money immediately.

You recognize their voice. You want to help.

But what if it isn't really them?

With today's artificial intelligence (AI) technology, scammers can create convincing copies of someone's voice. These scams are becoming another reason families need to be careful about unexpected phone calls.

What Is an AI Voice Scam?

An AI voice scam happens when a criminal uses artificial intelligence to imitate someone's voice and trick another person into sending money or sharing personal information.

Scammers may use just a few seconds of audio from a social media video, voicemail, or other recording to create a fake voice.

They may pretend to be your grandchild, son, daughter, or even your boss. Often, they'll claim there's an emergency and pressure you to act immediately.

Their goal? To get you worried enough to send money before you stop to verify the story.

What Is a Family Code Word?

A family code word is a secret word or phrase that family members agree to use when verifying an unexpected emergency.

If someone calls claiming to be a loved one in trouble, you can ask for the code word as an additional way to help confirm their identity.

It takes just a few minutes to set up and could help protect your family from a costly scam.

How to Create a Family Code Word

Here are five easy steps to get started:

1. Choose something unusual.

Pick a word or phrase that would be difficult for someone outside your family to guess. Avoid birthdays, pet names, addresses, or information someone could find on social media.

For example, something silly like "Purple Tractor Pancakes" might be easier to remember than a random combination of letters.

2. Share it privately with your family.

Talk with your children, grandchildren, parents, or anyone who might receive an emergency call. Share the code word in person or through a trusted, private conversation.

3. Agree on when to use it.

Let everyone know that if someone calls unexpectedly asking for emergency money or sensitive information, they can ask for the family code word.

4. Keep it a secret.

Don't post your code word on Facebook, share it publicly, or give it to someone who calls asking for it. Never provide hints to a suspicious caller.

5. Remember to verify the call anyway.

A code word is an extra layer of protection, not a guarantee. If the caller knows the code word, you should still hang up and contact your loved one using a phone number you already trust.

If your code word is ever shared with someone outside the family, choose a new one.

What Should You Do If You Receive a Suspicious Call?

If someone calls claiming to be a family member in trouble:

• Stay calm. Scammers want you to panic.

• Hang up. Don't let the caller pressure you into making a quick decision.

• Call your loved one directly. Use a phone number already saved in your contacts.

• Check with another family member. They may be able to confirm whether there's an actual emergency.

• Never send money until you've verified the situation. Be especially suspicious of requests for gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.

Remember, scammers can fake caller ID information, too. Just because the number looks familiar doesn't mean the call is legitimate.

Can AI Really Copy Someone's Voice?

Yes. AI voice-cloning technology can imitate a person's speech using a short audio recording. The resulting voice may sound convincing enough to fool even someone who knows the person well.

That's why recognizing someone's voice is no longer enough to confirm their identity.

Stay Two Steps Ahead of Scammers

A quick conversation with your family today could prevent a costly mistake tomorrow.

Choose a family code word, talk about how these scams work, and remind everyone that it's always okay to hang up and verify an emergency.

A real emergency can survive a two-minute phone call. A scammer doesn't want you to make one.

At Midstate Communications, we're committed to helping our communities stay connected, informed, and safe online. Have questions? Give our local IT team a call or text at 605-778-6221.