Watch Out for AI Phone Scams

Scammers are constantly looking for new ways to trick you, and as technology becomes more sophisticated, so do scams.

One of these scams relies on AI voice cloning technology. Here's how it works: You receive a phone call from an unknown number, and it's the voice of a loved one telling you something happened and that they need money right away. Worried, you get all the information and send the funds. Then, when you call your loved one back at their number, they're okay, and your money is gone.

What happened? Scammers can take short recordings of someone's voice from social media videos or even robocalls, then use AI to replicate the voice to make it say whatever they want. While it might sound scary, there are some ways to protect yourself from falling victim to this type of scam.

Don’t Answer Calls from Unknown Numbers. One of the simplest ways to protect yourself is to avoid answering calls from unknown numbers. Allow these calls to go to voicemail, and then decide if you need to respond.

Verify Information. If you receive a suspicious call, verify any information they give you. Call the person back at a known number or contact a mutual acquaintance to confirm the story. If it’s a political call, do your homework to ensure the information they give you is true and accurate. If they’re asking for a donation to a cause, you’ll want to ensure that any entity you deal with is reputable and has a verifiable presence. Make any donations online through a trusted website rather than over the phone.

Don’t Overshare on Social Media. One way scammers collect voice samples for AI cloning is through social media. Even a short video of you or a family member could be enough to create a compelling copy of their voice. Limit what you share online, and ensure your posts are only visible to friends and family.

Keep Personal Information Private. Do not share personal information unless you know the caller's identity.

Create a secret codeword. This could be a random phrase or an inside joke that only your family would know. If someone claiming to be a loved one calls and asks for money, ask for the codeword. AI can mimic a voice but can't guess a secret password.

If you encounter a scam, please report it to us immediately by calling 800.433.7228.

Various resources are available to help you learn more about consumer protection and how to avoid falling victim to scams.

• The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau offers several great resources for learning about scams and how to stay safe.
• Visit the Federal Trade Commission to report fraud or scams and determine the next steps.

Remember the key points—avoid unknown numbers, verify information and use a family codeword. Please share this information with friends and family to help them stay safe. Awareness and preparedness are your best defenses against AI voice scams.