Is the AI Voice Cloning Scam real or a scam?

This is a confirmed scam. Do not click any links, do not provide personal information, and do not send money. This is a voice phishing scam.

What should I do if I received the AI Voice Cloning Scam?

Do not respond or click any links. Block the sender, report the message as spam, and delete it. If it came via text message, forward it to 7726 (SPAM).

What if I already fell for the AI Voice Cloning Scam?

Change your passwords immediately, contact your bank if you shared financial information, place a fraud alert on your credit, and file a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

How do I report the AI Voice Cloning Scam?

Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov, and your local law enforcement. If it impersonated a specific company, report it to that company as well.

AI Voice Cloning Scam: Is It a Scam?

High Prevalence Type: Voice Phishing

Yes, this is a scam. Do not click any links or provide personal information.

Scammers use AI to clone the voice of a family member or friend, then call you pretending to be that person in distress, claiming they have been kidnapped, arrested, or in an accident and need money urgently.

How This Scam Works

Using just a few seconds of audio from social media videos, voicemails, or phone calls, scammers can create a convincing AI clone of someone's voice. They call a family member, and the voice on the line sounds exactly like their loved one, crying and begging for help. A second person then takes the phone, claiming to be a kidnapper, lawyer, or police officer, and demands ransom or bail money. The emotional shock of hearing a loved one's voice in distress overrides critical thinking. Victims are told not to hang up or call anyone else. The real family member is completely safe and unaware.

Red Flags to Watch For

Call from an unknown number with a loved one's voice in distress
Caller demands you stay on the line and not call anyone
Demand for ransom or bail via wire transfer, gift cards, or crypto
Background noise or short phrases designed to limit exposure of the AI
Caller cannot answer specific personal questions

Example Scam Messages

Phone call (AI-cloned voice): '[crying] Mom, I'm in trouble. These people grabbed me. Please help me. Do whatever they say.' Second voice: 'We have your daughter. If you call the police or hang up, you will never see her again. We need $10,000 in Bitcoin sent to this address within one hour.' --- Phone call (AI-cloned voice): 'Dad, I got in a car accident and I'm at the hospital. They won't treat me until I pay. Can you wire $5,000 right now?'

What to Do If You Received This

Hang up and call the person directly on their known number
Establish a family code word for emergencies
Ask the caller a question only the real person would know
Do not send money based on a phone call alone
Contact other family members to verify the person's safety

What to Do If You Fell For It

Contact your bank to attempt to reverse the payment
File a police report immediately
If you sent gift cards, call the gift card company with the receipt
Report to the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov
Alert other family members so they are not targeted

How to Report This Scam

Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
File a complaint with FBI IC3 at ic3.gov
File a local police report
Report to the FCC if the call came through phone lines

Last updated: February 10, 2026