// Guides
Voice cloning & the “grandparent scam 2.0”
In voice cloning, AI imitates a voice convincingly from a few seconds of audio — e.g. from a social-media video. In the “grandparent scam 2.0”, fraudsters call with the cloned voice of a relative and manufacture an emergency.
Updated: 2026-06-19
Immediate steps
- 1For urgent money demands on the phone: hang up and call back via the known number.
- 2Agree a secret code word with family and close contacts — for genuine emergencies.
- 3Use a four-eyes principle for payments — never transfer alone under pressure.
- 4Never send money via crypto, gift cards or foreign transfer on request.
- 5Review and restrict social-media videos/profiles — voice and face are biometric data.
- 6Document suspicious calls and file a report.
What not to do
- Do not let “emergency” and time pressure push you into instant payments.
- No payments via crypto/gift cards — authorities and banks never demand this.
- Do not judge authenticity by the voice — it can be cloned.
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Common questions
- How much audio does a voice clone need?
- A few seconds may suffice — e.g. from a video, a voice message or a mailbox greeting.
- How do I best protect myself?
- An agreed code word, calling back via known numbers and the four-eyes principle are the most effective measures.
- I already paid — what now?
- Inform your bank immediately (possible chargeback), file a report and preserve all evidence.