How the scam works
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns that a scammer only needs a short audio clip of your family member’s voice, which they can take from videos posted online. With AI voice-cloning software, they can then phone you and sound just like your loved one.
The caller says they’re in trouble and need money, fast.
The warning signs
- Urgency. You’re told to act right now, before you have time to think or check.
- Emotion. The call is designed to make you panic or feel afraid for someone you love.
- Authority. The NCSC says scammers often pretend to be someone official, such as a solicitor or a government department.
- Unusual ways to pay. The FTC says requests to send money by wire transfer, cryptocurrency or gift cards (and read out the card numbers and PINs) are signs of a scam. These are ways that make it hard to get your money back.
Knowing the voice isn’t enough any more. Even if it sounds exactly like them, check before you send anything.
What to do
- Hang up. It’s fine to be “rude” to a caller you’re unsure of.
- Call your relative back on a phone number you already know is theirs, not one the caller gave you.
- If you can’t reach them, contact them through another family member or a friend.
- Don’t send money until you’ve spoken to them yourself and know the story is true.
Make yourself a harder target
The NCSC says criminals use information about you that’s online, including on social media, to make scams more convincing. Check the privacy settings on your social media, and think about who can see the videos you and your family post.
Report it
- In the UK: if you’ve lost money, tell your bank, then report it to Report Fraud (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) on 0300 123 2040, or to Police Scotland on 101.
- In the US: report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Next: learn the signs of any scam phone call.
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission (US), Scammers use AI to enhance their family emergency schemes, checked 11 Oct 2026.
- National Cyber Security Centre (UK), How to spot a scam email, text message or call, checked 11 Oct 2026.
- National Cyber Security Centre (UK), Report a scam phone call, checked 11 Oct 2026.