cogloom · Free lesson
The problem in one sentence: Scammers can now copy the sound of a loved one's voice and call you asking for money.
The FTC (the U.S. Federal Trade Commission) describes it this way: a scammer takes a short audio clip of your family member's voice, often from something posted online, and runs it through a voice-cloning program. When they call, they "sound just like your loved one." The FBI warned about the same thing in December 2024: criminals make short clips of a loved one's voice "in a crisis situation, asking for immediate financial assistance or demanding a ransom."
Your 3-step plan: 1. Pick a family safe word today. Choose a word or short phrase that only your family knows. Don't post it, don't text it to everyone, and don't use something easy to guess, such as a pet's name that is on Facebook. The FBI's own advice: "Create a secret word or phrase with your family to verify their identity." 2. If a panicked call comes in, ask for the word, and never say it first. A real family member will know it. A clone won't. 3. Hang up and call back on a number you already know. The FTC says: "Don't trust the voice." Call the person directly. If you can't reach them, call another relative or a friend, even if the caller told you to keep it secret.
Red flags (from the FTC and FBI): the caller wants money right now, insists on secrecy, or asks for payment by wire transfer, gift cards or cryptocurrency.
Two extra habits: - Keep family videos and voice clips private where you can. The FBI suggests limiting public posts of your voice and image. - If it happened to you, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or to the FBI at ic3.gov.
Do this now: text your family and say, "Let's pick a safe word at dinner this week." Agree on the word in person, not over text.
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