AI Scam Phone Calls: How to Spot Them (5 Warning Signs)

It can be unsettling to get a phone call from a loved one in trouble. It's even more confusing when it's not really them.

Scammers are using artificial intelligence to copy voices, making their calls much more convincing. The UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has flagged voice cloning as a growing threat. The good news is that a few simple habits can keep you safe.

How the scams work

Criminals find audio clips of a person's voice online, perhaps from social media videos. An AI tool then learns to mimic it. They use this fake voice to call you with an urgent story - a sudden accident, a forgotten wallet, a problem abroad.

They are counting on your panic. If you slow down, their scam starts to fall apart.

Warning signs to look for

• A sudden, urgent request for money, gift cards, or a bank transfer.
• Pressure to act immediately and to keep the call a secret.
• The story feels odd or has details that don't quite add up.
• They can't answer simple questions that the real person would know.

The single best thing you can do

If a call feels suspicious, just hang up. Then, call the person back on a number you have saved for them. If it was a genuine emergency, you'll find out straight away.

If the caller claimed to be from your bank, use the number on their official website or the back of your debit card. Never trust a number given to you in a call.

Create a family code word

A simple code word can be a big help. It should be something personal that only your close family would know. If a caller claims to be a relative but can't give you the code word, you know it's a scam.

Agree on a word with your relatives and remind them to ask for it if they ever get a strange call.

What to do if you're targeted

Even if you spot the scam, it can be upsetting. Talk to someone you trust about it. If you have lost money, contact your bank immediately and report the incident to Action Fraud (the UK's national fraud reporting service, at 0300 123 2040).

There's no need to feel embarrassed. These scams are designed to trick good people. Reporting them helps protect others.

For broader advice on keeping yourself safe when using AI tools, our staying safe with AI guide is worth a read. And if you want to understand how AI voice technology works, our guide to spotting deepfakes explains it clearly.

How to protect your voice online

It's sensible to be careful about how much of your voice you share publicly. Scammers need audio to build a clone.

• Keep social media profiles private if you can.
• Think twice before posting videos with long, clear clips of you speaking.
• Keep your voicemail greeting short and simple.

The less audio a scammer has, the harder their job becomes.

Helpful prompts for your own AI

You can use an AI tool like ChatGPT to prepare. Try asking it to:

• "Write a simple family plan for handling scam phone calls."
• "Draft a short text message to warn my family about voice scams."
• "Suggest five good ideas for a secret family code word."

Helpful links

These pages can help you build AI awareness and stay safe.

• What is AI?
• How to use ChatGPT
• Try AI now
• Practical uses for AI
• Glossary of simple AI terms
• Common fears about AI
• Learn more with simple guides
• Back to the blog
• Staying safe with AI

FAQ