What The Tech: The most dangerous scam of 2025
October is “Cyber Security Awareness Month” when The Department of Homeland Security warns Americans about the worst scams that threaten our money, our privacy and our peace of mind. And in 2025 one scam stands above them all as both terrifying and costing people money.
It’s a voice cloning scam people are getting in the middle of the night.
The call sounds like your daughter. She’s crying. She says she’s in trouble and needs money right away.
But it’s not her.
Scammers are now using artificial intelligence to fake phone calls that sound just like someone you love. These aren’t poorly done robocalls either. With just a few seconds of someone’s voice from a TikTok, a YouTube video, or even a voicemail, AI can create a realistic fake voice that says anything.
In one example I created for my segment, I used just 20 seconds of my own voice to generate a fake audio clip. It sounded eerily real. If I hadn’t made it myself, I would’ve sworn it was a recording from a past phone call.
This scam isn’t theoretical. It’s already happening.
A global survey by cybersecurity firm McAfee found that 1 in 4 people have received a fake call using an AI-generated voice or know someone who has. Even more alarming, 77 percent of victims reported losing money, often thousands of dollars. And 70 percent of people said they couldn’t tell the difference between a real voice and a cloned one.
These calls usually come late at night or during stressful moments. The scammer may claim the family member was in an accident, got arrested, or is being held hostage. They might say, “Please don’t tell anyone, I just need help right now.” The pressure is designed to stop you from thinking clearly.
But there’s a simple way to fight back: set a family code word.
A code word is something only your immediate family knows. It can be a random phrase, an inside joke, or a reference no one else would understand. Something like “red baseball hat” or “grandma’s casserole.” If someone calls in a panic, ask for the code word. If they don’t know it, hang up and call your loved one directly.
It might feel strange to practice this ahead of time, but just like a fire drill, it’s better to be prepared. Talk about it with your kids, your parents, and even your grandparents. Scammers are targeting everyone.
For families with iPhones, it’s important to turn on “Find My” for every person with a phone. If you don’t have it, Android users can download and use the “Life 360” app. I urge parents not to abuse the privacy and trust of older children or they’ll turn it off.
And if you think this kind of scam couldn’t happen to you, think again. AI voice cloning tools are now widely available online. What used to take Hollywood-level tech can now be done with a smartphone and an internet connection.
This new wave of scams isn’t going away. But a few simple precautions can keep your family from becoming the next victim.
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