The voice on the phone might not be real...
A growing number of scams now use Artificial Intelligence to clone someone's voice.
Imagine receiving a call from your son, daughter, grandchild, or close friend. They sound distressed. They claim they've been in an accident, arrested, stranded while traveling, or need money immediately.
The voice sounds exactly like them.
The problem?
It may not actually be them.
Scammers can now create convincing voice clones using only a few seconds of audio collected from social media videos, voicemail recordings, interviews, or online content.
The technology is impressive and the consequences can be devastating.
Why This Scam Works
Like most successful scams, this one has everything to do with emotion, but is then amplified with technology.
Scammers want you to feel:
• Fear
• Urgency
• Panic
Because when emotions are high, judgement is low.
The goal is to get you to act before you think.
Red Flags to Watch For
Be suspicious if the caller:
• Demands immediate action.
• Requests money through wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or payment apps.
• Asks you not to tell anyone.
• Claims there is an emergency but cannot provide specific details.
• Becomes angry or aggressive when questioned.
What To Do
If you receive a distress call from a loved one requesting money:
STOP.
Hang up.
Call that person directly using the number already stored in your phone.
Do not use any callback number provided by the caller.
If you cannot reach them, contact another family member or trusted friend before taking any action.
One simple verification step can prevent a costly mistake.
Cybersecurity Tip of the Month
Create a Family Safe Word
Choose a word or phrase that only close family members know.
If an emergency call ever occurs, ask the caller for the safe word.
A scammer may be able to clone a voice, but they cannot clone information they don't have.
The SageCreek Scam Shield Checklist
Before sending money or sharing sensitive information, ask yourself:
✓ Was this request unexpected?
✓ Am I being pressured to act immediately?
✓ Have I independently verified the request?
✓ Would I make the same decision if I waited 30 minutes?
If the answer to the last question is no, don't act.
Final Thought
The most dangerous scams are rarely the most sophisticated.
They are the most emotional.
Just as successful investors avoid making decisions based on fear, successful fraud prevention starts with the same principle.
Slow down.
Verify.
Then act.