SYRACUSE, NY – In a troubling new trend, scammers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to manipulate people into believing their loved ones are in danger. With just a small audio clip, scammers can replicate your voice and use it in a phone call, causing panic or potential financial loss. 

Syracuse’s NewsChannel 9 has reported a harrowing experience of Amy Conley, a local woman who received a call from what she believed to be her daughter, Mary Kate. The caller claimed to be in a car accident and tearfully stated she had broken her nose. Conley’s concern escalated when another voice joined the call and informed her that her daughter had caused the accident and injured a pregnant woman. 

The scammer demanded $15,000 to prevent Mary Kate from going to jail, but Conley’s quick thinking and confirmation from her daughter prevented her from falling victim to the scam. However, she admits the incident still rattles her because the voice on the call sounded convincingly like her daughter. 

Conley suggested that people use a codeword known only among family members to confirm an incident where a loved one’s safety is at stake. Local police captain James Nightengale agreed with this tactic and told NewsChannel 9 that scammers might even use recorded responses during phone calls to gather additional voice samples without the victim’s knowledge. 

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that impersonator scams topped the list of reported scams in 2022, resulting in losses exceeding $2.5 billion. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for awareness and caution when dealing with unexpected phone calls.