Guide
AI Scams: Voice Cloning, Deepfakes and Your Family
Scammers now use AI to copy a loved one's voice, fake video calls and write flawless messages. How AI scams work, the warning signs, and the family safe word.
Grandparent and Family Emergency Scams
The phone rings and a young, upset voice says, "Grandma, it's me — I'm in trouble." There has been an accident or an arrest, and they need money for bail or a lawyer right away. Often a second person comes on the line pretending to be a lawyer or police officer, and you are asked to keep it secret.
Scammers can now copy a voice from a short video posted online, so a call can sound exactly like someone you love. The best protection is simple: hang up and call your family member back on the number you already have, or agree on a family "safe word" ahead of time.
Guides
Where to report family emergency scams
Reporting helps investigators spot patterns and warn others — even if you did not lose money. Type these addresses yourself or use the links below; do not use links from a suspicious message.
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Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Any scam, fraud or bad business practice — calls, texts, emails, websites and impostors.
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FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
Online and computer-related fraud, including tech-support, romance, investment and crypto scams.
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National Elder Fraud Hotline (U.S. Department of Justice)
Free help for people 60 and older: case managers help you report and plan next steps. Mon–Fri, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Eastern.
You can also report to your state attorney general. If you sent money, call your bank or card company right away using the number on the back of your card.
Other scam types
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Government impostors
Callers and texts pretending to be Social Security, the IRS or Medicare. How to recognize them and where to report them. -
Phone scams
Impostor calls, robocalls, fake prizes and spoofed caller ID. How the most common phone scams work and what to say — or not say. -
Text message scams
Fake fraud alerts, package and toll texts, "wrong number" chats and job offers. Real examples of scam texts and how to report them. -
Email & phishing
Fake emails, look-alike websites and spoofed senders that try to steal passwords, card numbers and personal details. How to spot and report them. -
Delivery & toll texts
Fake texts about a package you missed or an unpaid toll. Learn what the real ones look like and what to do if you clicked. -
Tech support
Pop-ups and calls claiming your computer is infected or hacked. How the scam works, the warning signs, and how to recover. -
Romance
Online relationships that turn into requests for money. Warning signs, how to talk to a loved one about it, and where to report. -
Social media
Fake ads and shops, hacked friends, Marketplace tricks and investment "coaches" on social media. How to spot them and protect your account. -
Investment & crypto
Fake trading platforms, "guaranteed" returns and crypto ATMs. How to spot investment fraud before you send money. -
Bank & Zelle
Fake fraud alerts from "your bank" and payment-app tricks. What your real bank will never ask and how to protect your accounts. -
Medicare & health
Calls offering "free" equipment, new cards or plan changes in exchange for your Medicare number. How to protect your benefits.