We naturally trust the people we know.
If your boss calls with a request, you recognize their voice. If a family member needs help, you know what they sound like. If a longtime vendor reaches out about a payment, the relationship itself can make the request feel familiar.
But what happens when a scammer can imitate that familiarity?
Artificial intelligence is giving criminals new ways to impersonate real people. Using voice cloning and other AI technology, scammers can create convincing copies of voices, images and videos—and use them to make fraudulent requests seem real.
That means hearing a familiar voice or seeing a recognizable face may no longer be enough to confirm who you're communicating with.
The good news? You don't have to become an AI expert to protect yourself.
You just need to add one important step: verify the request independently.
How AI Can Make Impersonation Scams More Convincing
Scammers can use information that's already publicly available to make an impersonation more believable.
Photos, videos, voice recordings, job titles, business relationships and other personal details can all provide information that helps build a convincing story.
AI can also help scammers create communications that:
- Use polished, professional language
- Include correct names and job titles
- Reference real business relationships
- Sound similar to legitimate communications
- Create urgency or pressure
That makes some of the warning signs we've traditionally relied on—like awkward language or an unfamiliar voice—less dependable.
Instead of concentrating on whether the person sounds real, pay attention to what they're asking you to do.
AI Executive Impersonation: “Can You Approve This Payment?”
Imagine you're at work and your manager calls.
They need you to approve a $50,000 payment. It's urgent. They reference a project you recognize.
And the voice sounds exactly like them.
Would you approve it?
AI voice cloning can be used to impersonate executives, managers and business owners. A fraudulent request could involve:
- An urgent wire transfer
- Payment of an invoice
- New vendor payment instructions
- A payroll change
- Gift card purchases
- Confidential employee or customer information
- Account credentials or authentication information
Even if the voice sounds right, the request should still follow your company's normal payment and security procedures.
Familiarity shouldn't replace verification.
When a Vendor or Business Partner Appears to Reach Out
Business relationships can also be used to make a scam more believable.
A message may appear to come from a vendor, customer, contractor or other business partner asking you to change payment information.
Maybe you've worked with that company for years. The names are correct. The invoice looks familiar. Nothing immediately feels out of place.
That's exactly why independent verification matters.
If you're asked to change payment or banking information, contact the vendor using information you already have on file—not the phone number or email address supplied in the new request.
AI Voice Cloning Can Target Families, Too
AI impersonation isn't only a business threat.
Imagine answering the phone and hearing the voice of your child, grandchild or another loved one.
They tell you they've been in an accident. Or they've been arrested, ended up in the hospital, lost their wallet or become stranded somewhere.
They need money—and they need it now.
A scammer can use voice recordings to create a convincing imitation of someone you know.
As difficult as it may be in the moment, stop before sending money.
Hang up and call your loved one using a phone number you already have. You can also contact another family member or trusted person who can help you verify what's happening.
Some families may even choose to establish a private verification phrase for emergency situations. Make it something that couldn't easily be discovered through social media or public information.
When Someone Claims to Be Your Bank
AI can also make financial institution impersonation scams more convincing.
Someone may call and say:
- Fraud has been detected on your account.
- Your online banking has been compromised.
- A transfer needs to be canceled.
- You need to verify your identity.
- Your money must be moved to protect it.
The caller may ask for account information, passwords or authentication codes. They may even tell you to move your money into a supposedly “safe” account.
Don't.
End the call and contact your bank directly using a phone number or communication method you already trust.
Other People Scammers May Impersonate
AI-assisted scams can also involve someone pretending to be:
- A government official
- A law enforcement officer
- An attorney
- A technology or customer-service representative
- A coworker
- A customer
- Another trusted professional
Different person. Different story. Same basic strategy.
The scammer tries to establish trust, create urgency and get you to act before you independently verify what's happening.
Don't Try to Become a Deepfake Detective
You may have heard advice about listening for strange pauses, unnatural speech or odd background noise to determine whether a voice is AI-generated.
Those clues aren't reliable enough to make an important financial decision.
You don't have to determine whether the voice itself is fake.
Instead, verify whether the person actually made the request.
If someone unexpectedly asks you to send money, change payment information, share sensitive information, provide an authentication code or take another significant action, contact that person through a separate channel you already trust.
For Businesses: Make Verification Part of the Process
Businesses can help reduce the risk of AI impersonation by establishing verification procedures before a suspicious request ever arrives.
Consider:
- Calling an executive using a number in your company directory.
- Calling a vendor using contact information already on file.
- Requiring established approvals for significant payments.
- Independently verifying changes to vendor banking information.
- Following established procedures for payroll or direct-deposit changes.
- Requiring dual approval for significant or unusual transactions.
Most importantly, verify outside the communication you're trying to confirm.
If an email gives you a number to call, don't use that number. If someone sends new payment instructions, don't use the new contact information to verify them.
Start with information you already trust.
For Consumers: Pause Before You Act
The same idea applies to your personal finances.
If someone unexpectedly asks for money or sensitive information:
- Hang up and call them back using a number you already have.
- Contact another trusted person if you need help confirming the situation.
- Be suspicious if you're told to keep the request secret.
- Don't move money to “protect” it.
- Never provide passwords, PINs or one-time authentication codes to someone who unexpectedly contacts you.
Taking a few extra minutes to verify a request isn't an inconvenience when your money or personal information is involved.
It's protection.
Trust the Relationship. Verify the Request.
AI may be changing the way impersonation scams look and sound, but it doesn't have to change the way you respond.
A voice may sound familiar. A video may look convincing. A caller may know names, relationships and other details that make the situation feel real.
You don't have to decide whether the technology is real or fake.
Verify the request—not the voice.
Before sending money, changing financial information or sharing sensitive information, reach out through a channel you already know and trust.
It's a simple step that can help protect the people, businesses and financial relationships you've worked hard to build.