Agent Lane robot mascotAgent Lane
Menu

Guide

Check a call or video before you send money: voice clones and deepfakes

Short answer: A familiar voice or face is no longer proof. Before you send money or crypto, hang up and call back on a number you already have, ask for your family safe word, and check with someone else. A rush, a secret, and a request for crypto, gift cards or a wire are the warning signs.

By Agent Lane Editorial · Page dated 31 October 2026

Can scammers really clone a voice or fake a video call?

Yes. The FTC says a scammer needs only a short audio clip of your family member’s voice, which could come from content posted online, and a voice-cloning program. The FBI says criminals use cloned voices to pose as relatives in a crisis, and fake video for live video chats with supposed company executives, police or other authority figures. The SEC, NASAA and FINRA warn of deepfake audio aimed at older investors about a grandchild in trouble. The FCC has ruled that robocalls using AI-generated voices are generally illegal without your consent, but scammers don’t follow the rules.

What does a voice-clone money request sound like?

  • It’s urgent and you’re “the only one who can help” (FTC).
  • Keep it secret: “don’t tell Mom and Dad” (FTC, FCC).
  • Someone takes over the call: a “lawyer,” “police officer” or “doctor” (FTC, FCC).
  • Pay in a hard-to-undo way: crypto, gift cards, a wire or a payment app (FTC, FCC).
  • A new number or a new app for someone you know. The FBI says to verify a new contact through a number or platform you already trust.
  • Caller ID looks right. That proves nothing; the FCC says caller ID can be spoofed.

What should I do if I get a call like this?

  1. Don’t send anything while you’re on the call. The pressure is the point.
  2. Hang up and call back on a number you already have saved, not the one that called you (FTC, FCC, FBI).
  3. Ask for the safe word. No safe word yet? Ask something only the real person would know. The FTC’s examples: “What kind of dog do you have?” or “Where did you spend Thanksgiving last year?”
  4. Call someone else in the family or a friend, even if you were told to keep it secret (FTC).
  5. For a bank, exchange or “government” call, use the number on your statement or the official website (FCC). Coinbase, for one, says its staff will never ask you to move your funds.
  6. Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and ic3.gov, and to local police (FCC).

The FBI lists signs of fake video, such as odd hands or faces, lag, and a voice that doesn’t quite match, but it also says AI content is often hard to spot. Don’t rely on spotting it. Rely on calling back.

How do I set up a family safe word?

The FBI and FCC both recommend one: a word or phrase your family chooses ahead of time that only you know. If a caller can’t give it, the FCC says it may be a scammer.

  • Pick it together, in person, not by text or email.
  • Make it random: nothing on social media, like a pet’s name or street.
  • Agree who asks. The person getting the request asks for the word; never say it first.
  • Change it if it’s ever used in a real emergency or may have leaked.
  • Share less of your voice online. The FBI suggests making social accounts private and limiting followers to people you know.

Checklist before you send money or crypto

  • I hung up and called back on a number I already had.
  • They gave the safe word, or answered a question only they would know.
  • I checked with one other person.
  • Nobody asked me to keep this secret.
  • I’m not being asked for crypto, gift cards or a wire.
  • Nobody needs my password, codes or seed phrase.

If any line is a “no,” don’t send. See also AI crypto scams.

Common questions

Can a scammer clone my voice from a short clip?

Yes. The FTC says a short audio clip, which could come from content posted online, and a voice-cloning program are enough to sound like your family member.

Is caller ID proof that it’s really them?

No. The FCC says scammers can spoof caller ID to look like a trusted number. Hang up and call back on a number you already have.

What is a family safe word?

A word or phrase your family picks ahead of time that only you know. The FBI and FCC both recommend one; if a caller can’t give it, treat the call as a scam.

Sources

Checked 31 October 2026 on each organization’s own site.

Related guides

All guides