AI Voice Cloning Scams Target UK's Elderly in Sophisticated Fraud Wave
National Trading Standards has issued a stark warning about a disturbing new trend in telephone fraud, where criminals are using artificial intelligence to clone victims' voices and authorise fraudulent direct debits. This sophisticated operation specifically targets older people, exploiting their trust during seemingly innocent phone conversations.
The Deceptive Survey That Steals Your Voice
The scam typically begins with an unexpected phone call presenting as a "lifestyle survey" that asks seemingly harmless questions about health, daily habits, or personal routines. While victims engage in conversation, believing they're participating in legitimate research, criminals are secretly recording their voice using advanced AI technology.
This recorded audio is then used to create a "voice clone" or digital twin that can convincingly mimic the victim's speech patterns, tone, and mannerisms. The technology has become so sophisticated that these cloned voices can successfully bypass security measures at financial institutions.
How the Fraud Unfolds
Once criminals have developed a convincing voice clone, they contact banks and financial service providers, impersonating the victim to authorise direct debit payments or other transactions. The most alarming aspect of this scam is its stealth nature – most victims remain completely unaware until they notice unexplained deductions from their bank statements weeks later.
Louise Baxter, head of the National Trading Standards scams team, describes the situation as "a deeply disturbing combination of old and new: traditional phone scams supported by disturbing new techniques." She emphasises that "criminals are using AI not just to deceive victims, but to trick legitimate systems into processing fraudulent payments."
The Scale of the Problem
The statistics reveal a worrying landscape of telephone fraud in the UK. The average person now receives approximately seven scam calls or text messages every month, with one in five people reporting they're targeted almost every time they answer their phone. Despite authorities successfully blocking millions of fraudulent calls, the rapid advancement of technology makes distinguishing genuine calls from scams increasingly difficult.
John Herriman from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) highlights the seriousness of this development: "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."
Protection and Prevention Advice
Consumer champion Which? offers practical guidance for protecting against these sophisticated scams. Lisa Webb advises: "You shouldn't have to worry about your own voice being used against you in this way but sadly we've reached a stage where every phone call must be treated with suspicion. If you get any calls out of the blue, don't be afraid to hang up – genuine callers won't mind."
Key protective measures include:
- Regularly checking bank statements for unrecognised transactions
- Contacting your bank immediately using the number on the back of your card if you spot suspicious activity
- Reporting all suspected scams to Police Scotland or through the Report Fraud service
- Registering with the Telephone Preference Service to reduce unsolicited marketing calls
- Discussing scam risks with friends and relatives, particularly older family members
Baxter emphasises the coordinated nature of these operations: "This is no longer just a nuisance – it's a coordinated, sophisticated operation targeting some of the most situationally vulnerable consumers in society." Trading Standards teams across the UK continue working to disrupt these criminal networks, but public vigilance remains crucial in combating this evolving threat.
