What to do.
Each point is followed by the words it rests on and where they come from.
- 1
Don't trust the voice, even if it sounds exactly like someone you know.
“Don’t trust the voice.”
FTC consumer alert, 'Scammers use AI to enhance their family emergency schemes' · Mar 20, 2023 · Old (2023) but still the FTC's main advice on voice cloning
- 2
Hang up and call the person back on a number you already know is theirs.
“Call the person who supposedly contacted you and verify the story.”
FTC consumer alert, 'Scammers use AI to enhance their family emergency schemes' · Mar 20, 2023 · Old (2023) but still the FTC's main advice on voice cloning
- 3
If you can't reach them, check with another family member or a friend.
“If you can’t reach your loved one, try to get in touch with them through another family member or their friends.”
FTC consumer alert, 'Scammers use AI to enhance their family emergency schemes' · Mar 20, 2023 · Old (2023) but still the FTC's main advice on voice cloning
- 4
Agree a family code word now, before you need it.
“Create a secret word or phrase with your family to verify their identity.”
- 5
Listen for tone and wording that don't sound like them.
“Listen closely to the tone and word choice to distinguish between a legitimate phone call from a loved one”
- 6
Treat a demand for wire transfers, crypto or gift cards as a scam sign.
“If the caller says to wire money, send cryptocurrency, or buy gift cards”
FTC consumer alert, 'Scammers use AI to enhance their family emergency schemes' · Mar 20, 2023 · Old (2023) but still the FTC's main advice on voice cloning
- 7
Post less of your voice and face in public, and make social accounts private.
“If possible, limit online content of your image or voice, make social media accounts private,”
- 8
Report it.
“If you spot a scam, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.”
FTC consumer alert, 'Scammers use AI to enhance their family emergency schemes' · Mar 20, 2023 · Old (2023) but still the FTC's main advice on voice cloning
Keep going.
How to check an AI answer before you trust it
Chatbots can state wrong things with confidence. Even AI tools built for lawyers gave incorrect information more than 17% of the time in Stanford's 2024 tests, and courts have now dealt with 2,202 cases of AI-made-up material.
PrivacyWhat not to tell a chatbot
Your chats are seen by the company that runs the chatbot. They can be used for training unless you turn that off, and they can outlive the company: states asked for protections for private chats in Character.AI's bankruptcy.
FamilyHow to protect kids and teens using AI chatbots
Children use chatbots for homework and for company. Common Sense Media says no social AI companions for anyone under 18. Several US states are now suing OpenAI over harm to children; those claims are allegations, not findings.