Your Phone Calls Could Be Used By AI Voice Cloning Scammers – Here’s How To Stay Protected

A phone rings and a friendly voice asks you to help with some kind of lifestyle survey. It sounds harmless at first. Annoying, maybe. But never suspicious, at all.

Well, National Trading Standards says that call can be the start of a fraud that ends with money leaving your bank account without you knowing.

According to National Trading Standards, criminals are using AI to clone people’s voices and set up unauthorised direct debits over the phone. The scam targets older people in particular. The caller gathers personal, health and financial details, then uses that information to create an AI generated copy of the victim’s voice. That cloned voice is used to simulate consent for payments to banks and other financial providers.

National Trading Standards says UK adults receive an average of 7 scam calls or texts per month. 21% receive scam calls or texts most days and 9% get them every day. In a six month period, National Trading Standards blocked nearly 21 million scam phone calls and shut down 2,000 numbers.

Louise Baxter, Head of the National Trading Standards Scams Team, said, “What we’re seeing is a deeply disturbing combination of old and new: traditional phone scams supported by disturbing new techniques. Criminals are using AI not just to deceive victims, but to trick legitimate systems into processing fraudulent payments. This is no longer just a nuisance – it’s a coordinated, sophisticated operation targeting some of the most situationally vulnerable consumers in society. We urge everyone to speak to friends and relatives about scam calls, check bank statements regularly and report anything suspicious.”

Who Is Being Targeted And How Does It Work?

The scam often begins with what sounds like a routine call. Victims are asked to take part in a so called survey. As they chat, the caller collects enough speech to copy tone and accent. Voice cloning is when AI technology creates a replica of your voice, including how you sound and how you pronounce words. This is why they try drag the conversation for as long as possible, even after you announce that you aren’t interested.

National Trading Standards says the details gathered in that first call can then be passed or sold to other criminals. Armed with personal data and a voice clone, they can contact banks or service providers and set up direct debits. Victims often do not realise payments are being taken.

John Herriman, Chief Executive at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, said, “This alarming new twist in phone-based fraud shows just how quickly criminals are exploiting emerging technologies to prey on the public. Voice cloning takes scam calls to a sinister new level, making it even harder for legitimate businesses and consumers to distinguish real interactions from fraudulent ones.

“Trading Standards teams across the UK are working tirelessly to disrupt these operations, but we need the public to stay alert, talk to loved ones about the risks, and report anything suspicious. Protecting consumers, especially those most vulnerable, requires all of us to stay informed and work together to tackle these modern day and emerging examples of fraud.”

Northumberland County Councillor Gordon Stewart, Cabinet Member for Public Safety, said, “Scammers are always looking for new ways to prey on the public and this latest fraud shows how sophisticated the scams can be – making it hard to distinguish between real and fraudulent interactions.

“Whilst we have had no reports of this type of voice cloning scam in the county, our time will no doubt come and we all need to be extra vigilant and keep one step ahead of the scammers. Any unexpected call should be treated with great caution.

“Always remember that criminals can appear to be genuine and are often very convincing. They can turn up on your doorstep, contact you by phone, email or by post – so you need to keep your wits about you.”

What Can You Do To Protect Yourself?

Councils and National Trading Standards spoke about the basics… Never disclose your financial information over the phone. End the call. Ring the organisation they claim to be from using the number on its official website or the number on the back of your bank card. All of those are so important to keep an eye on.

The Royal Borough of Greenwich advises people to say no to callers who ask for personal information such as your PIN or claim your computer has a virus. A genuine organisation will never ask for these details over the phone, in an email or in writing. Never click a link in a text message. Check your bank statements regularly and report any suspicious activity.

You can also register with the free Telephone Preference Service. This stops legitimate companies from making unsolicited sales and marketing calls. If you receive a sales call after that, you know you are likely dealing with a scammer. Call blocking features on your phone or a separate call blocker can help screen nuisance calls.

Then of course there’s the SMS, telephone and email lines you can reach out to, should you suspect fraudulent activity. Those can be found on NTS and other UK government websites.

Operation Derdap, launched in 2022, has already blocked nearly 21 million scam calls in 6 months. Now, as much as that work matters, your own actions do just as much – if not more. Treat unexpected calls with caution, keep an eye on your bank account and talk openly with family and friends about what to watch out for.