Imagine getting a phone call from a family member or friend. They’re a little frantic and they say they have an emergency and need you to send them $500! STOP! Is it really them or is it a phone scammer using the latest voice-cloning technology? Experts are once again reminding all of us that they scams are on the rise. Here’s how they do it: Scammers will find videos you’ve posted on social media where they hear your voice. They then download that video you posted and use voice-cloning programs that can make you say whatever they want. The scammer then finds your family member or friend on social media or with an easy search online. They call you, pretending to be YOU, asking for money.

Don’t fall for it! Take the time to educate your family and friends, especially older family that may not be familiar with this voice-cloning technology. And tell them if they ‘supposedly’ get a call from you (or other family or friends) to hang up and call you back on the number they have in their phone. Experts also suggest even going a step further and coming up with a ‘secret code word’ for emergencies that only you and your family/friends know.

Here’s an example of how far the voice-cloning technology has come…