The phone rings and it is your daughter’s voice, panicked, asking for money — except it is not her. AI can now clone a voice from seconds of audio and put words in anyone’s mouth on video. Deepfake scams are here, and knowing the signs is your best defense. Our GetMyPassword team explains how to spot a deepfake scam and what to do about it.
What a deepfake scam is
A deepfake uses artificial intelligence to fake a real person’s voice or face. Scammers feed it a clip from social media — a few seconds is enough — and produce a convincing call or video. The goal is the classic con dressed in new clothes: impersonate someone you trust to make you send money or share information in a hurry.
Common deepfake scams
- The family emergency: a cloned voice of a child or relative begging for urgent money.
- The CEO call: a fake boss instructing an employee to make a quick payment.
- Celebrity investment videos: a famous face promoting a “can’t-miss” crypto scheme.
- Romance and friend cons using video to make a fake identity feel real.
The red flags
Deepfakes are improving, but the scam underneath still gives them away. Watch for intense urgency, a demand for money or secrecy, and pressure not to hang up or check with anyone. On video, look for unnatural blinking, odd lighting or lips slightly out of sync. The strongest tell is simple: a genuine loved one will not mind if you call them back to confirm.
You cannot always trust your eyes and ears anymore, but you can trust a callback. Hang up and reach the person on their real number — a deepfake cannot answer the phone you dial yourself.
How to protect yourself
Agree on a family code word for real emergencies, and always verify through a known channel before sending money. Never act on urgency alone. It also helps to keep your accounts locked down, so criminals cannot harvest your photos and contacts or take over an account to impersonate you: give each one a unique password from our password generator and turn on two-factor authentication.
Frequently asked questions
What is a deepfake scam?
It is a scam that uses AI to fake a real person’s voice or face, impersonating someone you trust to pressure you into sending money or sharing information. Cloned-voice “family emergency” calls are a common example.
How can I tell if a call or video is a deepfake?
Look for the scam signs: extreme urgency, demands for money or secrecy, and pressure not to verify. On video, watch for unnatural blinking, odd lighting or lips out of sync. When unsure, hang up and call the person back on their real number.
How do I protect myself from deepfake scams?
Agree on a family code word, verify any urgent request through a known channel before sending money, and never act on urgency alone. Keep your accounts secured with unique passwords and 2FA so criminals cannot impersonate you.