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Types of voice scams, from cloned relatives to fake banks

Most voice scams follow one script: a trusted voice, an emergency, and a demand for fast, hard-to-reverse payment. These are eight common types.

Two people sitting at a kitchen table, one holding a phone out so the other can see the screen

The eight scams

  1. Hands holding a phone on a sofa, the screen showing an incoming call

    How an AI voice cloning scam works

    A caller sounds exactly like someone you love and needs money now. How the copy is made and why it works.

  2. An older woman sitting by a window with a landline phone in her lap

    The grandparent scam

    A "grandchild" is in jail or hurt and begs you not to tell their parents.

  3. A suitcase by a front door with a phone resting on top

    Family emergency scam

    A relative has had an accident or been arrested abroad and needs a fee paid today.

  4. A parent standing in a hallway holding a phone close to their ear

    Virtual kidnapping scam

    Someone claims to be holding a family member and demands a ransom while you stay on the line.

  5. An office desk with a closed laptop and a phone face up beside a notepad

    CEO voice fraud

    Your boss calls asking for an urgent, confidential payment to a new account.

  6. A bank card and reading glasses on a table next to a phone

    Bank impersonation call

    "Your bank" says your account is at risk and asks you to move money somewhere safe.

  7. A phone on a kitchen counter next to a cup of coffee

    The "can you hear me" scam

    A caller tries to get you to say "yes", then hangs up. What it can and cannot be used for.

  8. A stack of opened letters and envelopes beside a phone on a desk

    Calls impersonating officials

    A "police officer" or "tax official" says you owe a fine and must pay today.

Three checks that work on every type

The stories change, but the defence stays the same. You do not need to know which scam you are facing to stay safe.

  1. Hang up and call back on a number you already have, never one the caller gives you.
  2. Ask for your family safe word when a caller says they are a relative in trouble.
  3. Refuse unusual payments. Gift cards, wire transfers, crypto and cash handed to a courier are very hard to get back.

Share this page with older relatives. Reading the scripts once, before a call comes, makes them much easier to recognise when it matters.

Common questions

What is the most common voice scam?

Calls pretending to be from a bank, a government office or a well-known company are the most common. Family emergency calls, including the grandparent scam, play on love and panic instead.

Do scammers use AI on every call?

No. Many scam calls still use a real person reading a script or a recorded message. A cloned voice is a newer tool that makes family emergency calls more convincing. The advice is the same either way: hang up and call back on a number you know. How an AI voice cloning scam works.

Who do voice scammers target?

Anyone with a phone. Older people are often targeted with family emergency calls, and working adults with fake boss or bank calls. Scammers look for people whose relatives post videos online, because that gives them a voice to copy. How to protect elderly parents.

How can I check if a call is real?

Hang up and call the person or organisation back on a number you already have, such as the one in your contacts or on the back of your bank card. Ask for your family safe word. A real caller will understand. How to set up a family safe word.

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