It sounds like your child. Should you send money?

The FBI recorded more than $5 million in claimed 2025 losses to AI-enabled distress scams. You do not need to spot a fake voice; verify outside the call.

A caller sounds like your child, says they are in trouble and asks you to send money quickly—perhaps while someone else claims to be a lawyer or police officer. The FTC says scammers can use a short audio clip to imitate a loved one’s voice. A familiar voice alone does not prove who is calling.

A QUICK PRACTICE

The voice sounds like your child. They need money and say, “Don’t tell anyone.”

What would you do first?

End the call and use the number already saved in my contacts.Ask a question only they should know and stay on the call.Stay on the call while I buy the gift card.

Your choice stays in this browser. It is not saved or sent.

The FBI’s 2025 IC3 report says victims claimed more than $5 million in losses to “distress scams” using voice cloning to mimic a loved one or friend in an emergency. That is a figure from U.S. complaints, not an estimate of every incident or proof that every family emergency call uses AI.

Verify outside the call

Hang up, or say you will call back. Use a number already saved in your contacts—not a number given during the call. If you cannot reach the person, contact another trusted friend or family member. Do not pay while you are checking.

If you already sent money, contact your bank or payment provider as soon as possible. Reporting routes vary by country.

Sources: FBI, 2025 IC3 Annual Report · FTC, Family Emergency Scams.