Your ears say it’s them. Don’t send the money yet.

A familiar voice can be copied from a short clip. Urgency is a reason to verify, not to skip it.

The FTC warns that scammers can use AI voice cloning in fake family-emergency calls. They may claim someone is in trouble, demand money right away and tell you to keep it secret. The voice can sound familiar; that alone doesn’t prove who is calling.

Take one step outside the call: hang up and call the person back on a number you already know. If they don’t answer, reach another trusted person who can check on them. Don’t use a number or payment instructions supplied by the caller.

This is an example of a known scam tactic, not a claim that every urgent call is fake. The FTC advice is U.S.-based; use the relevant fraud-reporting service where you live.

Source: FTC Consumer Advice, fake emergencies and voice cloning.