AI Voice Cloning and the "Grandparent Scam": When a Loved One's Voice Isn't Real

The phone rings late at night. It’s your grandson’s voice — scared, crying. He’s been in an accident or arrested. He needs money for bail or a lawyer, and he begs you not to tell his parents.

The “grandparent scam” has been around for years. What’s new is that criminals can now use artificial intelligence to copy a real person’s voice from a short video posted on social media. It can sound exactly like someone you love.

Warning signs

• An emergency that needs money right now — bail, a hospital bill, a lawyer, a car accident.
• Secrecy: “Please don’t tell Mom and Dad.”
• A second person takes over — a “lawyer,” “officer” or “bail bondsman” who explains how to pay.
• Unusual payment methods: cash picked up by a courier, gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency.
• A call from an unknown or blocked number, or the caller says their phone is broken.

What to do

1. Hang up. It feels wrong, but it’s the right move.
2. Call your family member back on the number you already have — or call their parents or spouse.
3. Ask a question only the real person would know, or use your family code word.
4. Never send cash, gift cards, wires or crypto because of a phone call.

Set up a family code word today

Choose a word or phrase that only your family knows and that isn’t on social media. If someone calls with an emergency, ask for the code word. A scammer — even one with a perfect copy of a voice — won’t know it.

It’s also worth keeping social media profiles private and thinking twice about posting videos of children and grandchildren publicly.

Share this post with parents and grandparents. Questions? Call us at 620-960-8711.