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AI cloned voice calls

A call that sounds exactly like someone you know, made with AI from a short clip of their voice.

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Last 14 days

How much people are talking about "AI voice scam" online, measured by LunarCrush. Attention, not a count of victims.

What it looks like

Call transcript: "Mom? Mom, I messed up, I'm so scared. They won't let me go. Please, just do what he says." A man then takes the phone and demands money.
Voicemail: "Hey, it's me. I'm in a bind and can't talk long. Call this number back, not my usual one, okay?"
Call transcript, to an office: "This is Karen from the CEO's office. He needs a wire to a new vendor sent before noon. He'll approve it in writing later."

How it works

Scammers take a few seconds of someone's voice from social media, a video or a voicemail greeting and use AI to copy it. They call a parent, grandparent or coworker with that voice in a panic, then hand off to a second person who gives instructions. The goal is money sent fast, usually by wire, payment app, gift cards or crypto, before you can check.

Warning signs

  • The voice is right but the call is short, emotional and hard to ask questions on
  • A second person takes over to give payment instructions
  • They tell you not to hang up or not to call anyone else
  • The caller ID is unknown, blocked or a new number
  • Requests for wire, gift cards, crypto or a payment app
If you got one of these
  1. Hang up and call the person back on the number you already have saved.
  2. Ask a question only they would know, or ask for your family code word.
  3. Set a family code word now, before you need it. Keep it off social media and texts.
  4. At work, confirm any money request by calling a known number, not by replying.
If you already paid or shared something
  1. Call your bank fraud line right away and ask them to stop or recall the payment.
  2. Report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov and at ic3.gov.
  3. If it was a work payment, tell your finance team and bank immediately. Speed matters for recovery.

Who gets targeted

Parents and grandparents of people with public videos, and office staff who handle payments.

Also read: Can scammers clone my family member's voice?

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