Who: The FTC collects reports of impersonation and AI-related scams.
When to use: Use when AI or deepfake was used to impersonate someone.
What to prepare:
- How you were contacted
- What they asked for
- Any recording or link
Go to FTC ReportFraud~5 min
Category: Emerging & other
AI & deepfake scams
TrendingHow it often plays out
Karen gets a call from “her daughter”—the voice is identical, crying, saying she’s been in an accident and needs money for the hospital. Karen wires $8,000. The voice was an AI clone made from a few seconds of her daughter’s social media audio. Scammers now use deepfake voice or video to impersonate family, bosses, or public figures and pressure victims into sending money. The technology has improved so much that a short clip from social media can be enough to clone a voice. Always verify through a separate channel—call the person back on a number you know, or contact another family member—before sending money or sharing sensitive information.
How to spot it
Common red flags: pressure to act immediately, requests for payment by gift card or wire, offers that seem too good to be true, or unsolicited requests for your personal or financial details.
Do's and don'ts
Do
- Contact the person through a known number or account before sending money or info.
- Save the message, call recording if legal, or any link.
- Report to the FTC and IC3.
Don't
- Send money or sensitive info based only on a call or video.
- Assume a voice or video is real; deepfakes can be very convincing.
- Use a callback number or link provided by the caller.
Summary & what to do
Scammers use AI-generated voice, video, or images to impersonate someone you know or a public figure to trick you into sending money or information. Verify through a separate channel before acting.
What to do right now
- Do not send money or sensitive info based only on a call or video. Contact the person through a known number or account.
- Save the message, call recording if legal, or any link. Note what was requested.
- Report to the FTC and IC3.
Where to report
Who: The FBI's IC3 tracks emerging tech fraud.
When to use: Use when you lost money or shared sensitive info.
What to prepare:
- What happened
- Contact method
Go to IC3~10 min
Build your knowledge: Recommended reading — books & free websites on financial literacy and fraud awareness