AI Fraud Education Center

Voice cloning technology uses machine learning models trained on audio samples to synthesize realistic speech. Scammers can now create convincing voice clones from as little as 3-10 seconds of audio—often scraped from social media videos or voicemail greetings.

How scammers bypass traditional trust cues:

• Emotional manipulation: Voice scams typically create urgent, high-stress scenarios ("I've been in an accident," "I need bail money") that override rational thinking.
• Caller ID spoofing: Scammers combine voice cloning with spoofed phone numbers to appear as trusted contacts.
• Background noise injection: Adding sirens, hospital sounds, or crying enhances believability and creates time pressure.
• Targeting vulnerabilities: Elderly family members are primary targets because they're more likely to respond emotionally without verifying details.

Protection strategy: Establish a family "safe word" or code phrase known only to immediate family. If someone calls claiming to be in trouble, ask for the safe word before taking action. Hang up and call the person back on their known number to verify any emergency.

AI-powered phishing has evolved beyond obvious spelling errors and generic greetings. Modern scam texts use personalized information, grammatically correct language, and psychological manipulation tactics to appear legitimate.

Emotional manipulation patterns to recognize:

• Urgency and fear: "Your account will be suspended in 24 hours," "Unusual activity detected," "Immediate action required."
• Too-good-to-be-true offers: Unexpected refunds, lottery winnings, job offers with minimal qualifications, or investment opportunities with guaranteed returns.
• Authority impersonation: Messages claiming to be from banks, government agencies, or company executives demanding compliance.
• Payment pressure: Requests for immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment apps.

Red flags in message content: Look for generic greetings ("Dear Customer"), suspicious links with misspelled domains, requests for sensitive information (passwords, Social Security numbers), or threats of legal action for non-compliance.

Best practice: Never click links or download attachments from unexpected messages. Verify sender identity by contacting the organization directly through official channels listed on their website, not through contact information provided in the message.

Impersonation attacks use AI to create synthetic identities or mimic real people across multiple communication channels. These sophisticated schemes can persist for weeks or months, building trust before executing financial fraud.

Common impersonation tactics and warning signals:

• Government spoofing: Fake IRS agents, Social Security Administration calls, or law enforcement threats. Warning signal: Real agencies send written notices, not threatening phone calls demanding immediate payment.
• Employer impersonation: Fake CEO or executive emails requesting wire transfers, gift card purchases, or sensitive data. Warning signal: Verify requests through secondary channels, especially for financial transactions.
• Romance scams: AI-generated profiles with stolen photos, scripted emotional manipulation, and eventual requests for money. Warning signal: Refusal to video chat, consistent excuses about in-person meetings, and rapid emotional escalation.
• Executive spoofing: Deepfake videos or voice calls from company leadership requesting policy violations or financial actions. Warning signal: Requests that bypass normal approval processes or violate company policy.

Verification protocol: Always verify identity through independent channels. For suspected impersonation of someone you know, contact them using previously established contact methods, not the new or unexpected communication channel. For government or business contacts, look up official phone numbers independently and call directly.

Seniors are disproportionately targeted by AI fraud schemes due to accumulated wealth, trusting nature, and less familiarity with digital scam tactics. Protecting elderly family members requires clear, simple protocols they can follow under stress.

3-Step Phone Safety Rules:

1. Hang up immediately if any unexpected call requests money, gift cards, or personal information—no matter who the caller claims to be.

   Even if the voice sounds like a grandchild, family member, or trusted authority figure, hang up and verify independently.

2. Call back using a known number before taking any action.

   Look up the person or organization's number yourself—don't use contact information provided by the caller. Wait a few minutes before calling back to ensure you're not redirected to the scammer.

3. Verify with a trusted third party before making financial decisions.

   Contact an adult child, trusted friend, or financial advisor before sending money or providing sensitive information, especially for amounts over $500.

Family call-code protocol: Establish a secret word or phrase that only immediate family members know. In any emergency call, ask for the code word. If the caller can't provide it, hang up and verify through other channels. Make the code word memorable but not guessable (avoid pets' names or birthdays).

Emergency response steps: Keep a written list of trusted contacts (family, financial institutions, local police non-emergency line) next to the phone. If you suspect you've been targeted by a scam, report it immediately to local authorities and notify your bank to freeze accounts if financial information was shared.