Rule 1: Verify, Then Trust
The single most important rule is to never act on voice alone. Scammers rely on creating a sense of panic and urgency to prevent you from thinking clearly. If you receive a distressing call, even if the voice sounds exactly like a family member, your
first step is to pause. Hang up immediately and call that person back on a number you have saved in your contacts. A scammer will pressure you to stay on the line and not contact anyone else. A real loved one in a genuine emergency will understand the need for verification. Treat any urgent request for money, especially via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, as a major red flag.
Rule 2: Establish a Family Safe Word
This low-tech solution is one of the most effective defences against a high-tech scam. A family safe word is a secret word or simple phrase that only your inner circle knows. Agree on it in person, not over text, and make sure it's something a scammer couldn't guess from your social media profiles. An inside joke or a random combination of words like "purple pancake" works well. The rule is simple: if a caller claiming to be a family member asks for help but cannot provide the safe word, it's a scam. This strategy works because while AI can clone a voice, it cannot clone knowledge or shared memories.
Rule 3: Question Everything and Ask Questions
AI models are often scripted and can be thrown off by unexpected questions. If you're suspicious, ask something personal that only the real person would know. This could be about a shared memory, the name of their first pet, or an inside joke. Another tactic is to ask them to do something current AI struggles with, like humming a specific tune. Scammers may get evasive or aggressive when questioned. Trust your gut; if the tone feels off, the pauses are unnatural, or there's a lack of normal background noise, it could be a sign of a synthesised voice.
Rule 4: Minimise Your Public Voiceprint
Scammers need raw material to create a voice clone, and they often find it on social media. It only takes a few seconds of audio from a public video on Instagram or a Facebook post to create a convincing fake. To reduce your risk, consider making your social media accounts private. Be mindful of the videos you post where you are speaking clearly for an extended period. You can also protect yourself by changing your voicemail greeting to a generic, system-generated one instead of using your own voice. The less audio a scammer has access to, the harder it is for them to build an accurate clone.
Rule 5: Know How to React and Report
If you suspect you're on a call with a cloned voice, do not engage. Don't confirm any personal details, including your name. The best response is to simply hang up. If you answer a call from an unknown number, wait for the other person to speak first; scammers can record your simple "hello" to use later. If you do fall victim to a scam, it's crucial to act quickly. Contact your bank or financial institution immediately to report the fraud and see if any transactions can be stopped. Then, report the scam to local law enforcement and official bodies to help them track these criminals and warn others.
