A technology expert warns that one particular clue can reveal you’re being targeted by an AI-generated voice scam over the phone.
Bryn Thompson, Marketing Director at Phonely, says that unusual pauses in conversation are the clearest indication that fraudsters are using artificial intelligence to mimic the voices of loved ones or officials.
“Voice scams using AI technology have seen a dramatic rise in the past year,” Thompson explained. “Think of it as the AI’s ‘loading’ time. In a real chat, we overlap or answer instantly. A bot needs a second to process your question and generate a response.”
Phone scam using reordings
The expert revealed that scammers now use clever AI tools to clone voices from small audio samples collected from social media videos or previous phone calls.
“Scammers don’t need a studio-quality recording anymore. They’re cloning voices using 30-second clips pulled right off your Instagram or TikTok. It’s scary how little audio they actually need to sound like your daughter or your bank manager,” he said.
Thompson warned that fraudsters typically create urgency to prevent victims from noticing these giveaway pauses, often claiming to be in emergencies requiring immediate financial help.
“To hide these glitches, scammers create a fake crisis. They’ll tell you a relative has been arrested or is in the hospital. The goal is to get your adrenaline pumping so you don’t notice the robotic delays in the conversation,” Thompson added.
The number maybe false, too, for phone scam
It’s not just the voice you can’t trust; it’s the number, too. Ofcom is seeing a massive spike in ‘spoofing,’ where callers use internet-based tech to make your caller ID look like it’s coming from your local bank branch.
Thompson pointed out that these voice scams often target vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly, who may not be familiar with the latest AI technologies.
“The real tragedy is that these scams weaponise our instincts. We’re wired to trust our ears, especially when we hear a loved one in distress. Scammers know this and specifically hunt for older people who might have significant savings but aren’t aware of how far ‘deepfake’ audio has come.”
Simple family verification system
The expert urges people to implement a simple verification system with family members to combat these scams effectively.
“The fix is surprisingly low-tech: set a family ‘safe word’. If someone calls claiming to be a relative in trouble, ask for the word. If they can’t give it, hang up. Then, and this is the important part, wait five minutes before calling the real person back to ensure the scammer hasn’t kept the line open.” Thompson advised.
When receiving suspicious calls, Thompson recommends hanging up immediately and calling the person or organisation back using the official phone number from their website or official documents.
Don’t return call to number they provide
“Never return a call to the number provided by the caller,” he warned. “Always independently find the correct contact details and wait at least five minutes before calling, as some scammers can keep the line open even after you think you’ve hung up.”
According to Thompson, other warning signs include callers who avoid answering specific personal questions or who are unable to provide details that should be known to the person they’re impersonating.
“Ask them something only the real person would know, like what you did together last weekend or details about a shared memory. The AI might try to deflect by saying something vague, but it simply won’t have this specific information,” he explained.
Thompson also noted that voice scammers typically create pressure by claiming a tight deadline for action.
“They’ll insist money needs to be transferred within hours or even minutes. It sounds obvious, but in the heat of the moment, it’s easy to forget: no real bank is ever going to ask for your PIN over the phone.” Thompson said.
He added that potential victims can walk away at any point if they sense suspicion.
“If a call doesn’t feel right, or if you see someone on the end of a suspicious call, you have the ability to hang up at any moment and simply move on with your day.”