AI voice cloning scams on the rise experts warn

A California mother recently lost thousands of dollars after receiving a call that sounded like her daughter in distress. She now believes the voice was generated using artificial intelligence. This case is part of a growing trend of “voice cloning” scams, where criminals use AI to mimic real voices with just seconds of audio.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Americans lost over $893 million to AI-related scams last year. These include AI voice mimicry, AI-generated phishing emails, and romance scams. Scammers often pose as family members, friends, or coworkers. Banks like Starling in the UK and Australia’s Commonwealth Bank have issued warnings about these threats.

Experts say AI-generated voices are now so realistic that most people can’t tell them apart from real ones. Henry Ajder, an AI media expert, said it’s unfair to expect ordinary people to detect these scams. “I struggle with it. Most people do,” he added.

Creating a fake voice requires only a short audio clip, often taken from social media or previous calls. Scammers may claim the person they’re mimicking is in danger, demanding money for their release. Gary Schildhorn, a Philadelphia attorney, described being tricked by an AI voice posing as his son. “It was all, ‘I have to react to help my son. He’s in trouble,’” he said.

Some scams use advanced techniques like “voice skinning,” which allows scammers to mimic a target’s voice in real time. This lets them hold back-and-forth conversations, making the scam more convincing. Hackers also use caller ID spoofing to make calls appear to come from known numbers.

Red flags like strange pauses or vocal fluctuations are no longer reliable. Instead, experts recommend looking for urgency or secrecy in the conversation. Hany Farid, a UC Berkeley professor, advised checking if the caller pressures you to act quickly or keeps others in the dark.

If you receive a suspicious call, verify the person’s identity through other means. Text them, call from another phone, or ask someone who knows their location. Deborah Del Mastro, the California mother, called her daughter after sending money. Her daughter answered immediately and was at work.

Families and coworkers can set up a “code word” to confirm identities. The phrase should be known only to a small group and not searchable online.

Ajder said it’s better to be laughed at for doubting a loved one than to risk losing money. “Ultimately, if you suspect something’s off, it’s safer to double-check,” he said.