Protect Yourself From Audio Deepfakes, Voice Cloning Scams With Simple Checks

Voice cloning enters scam kits

Scammers can use cloned voices to impersonate family members and other familiar people. TikTok videos describe attempted impersonations, including one in which a woman said her mother was nearly deceived by someone imitating her grandmother.

Briedis said voice clones once had audible flaws, but that is no longer reliably true. Experts told Mashable that cloning tools are now included in broader criminal toolkits, alongside personal data and access to generative AI services.

A NordVPN study of dark web marketplaces found a hacked ElevenLabs Scale account with unlimited voice cloning offered for $150. An ElevenLabs API key was listed for $8.

Prepare before a call

Briedis said it is unfair to expect people to scrutinize every message, video and call forever. Instead, people can prepare themselves and their communities before a suspicious request arrives.

Save verified contact information for important callers, including your bank, insurance company and family lawyers. Use those details to check whether a caller is genuine. Requests for gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or payment apps warrant caution. So do requests to start a wire transfer through a voice note, call or voicemail.

Pause and change channels

Audio clues can be difficult to recognize, especially when a scammer creates panic and urgency. Andrew Jones, co-founder of Adaptive Security, said urgency and demands for secrecy are common in successful scams.

Rather than judging whether a voice sounds right, Briedis advised changing the channel. Hang up, contact the person through verified information, and ask someone else to weigh in before acting.

If a message creates pressure to keep the request secret or act immediately, slow down. A separate check can help interrupt the scammer’s attempt to rush you.

Respond quickly after fraud

If you shared bank or payment details, contact your bank immediately and cut off access to the account or payment method. If you sent a wire transfer or gift card, contact the issuer and report the scam.

Change your passwords and freeze your credit. If personal information was stolen, use IdentityTheft.gov to create a government-recommended recovery plan. If you gave out your Social Security number, report the scam to the Social Security Administration’s fraud hotline. The article says most Americans have been scammed in some way and encourages people to seek help and prepare for future attempts.