How criminals are using AI to clone victims’ voices and set up direct debits
National Trading Standards (NTS) has warned that criminals are using artificial intelligence to copy voices and create fake direct debits via phone.
NTS confirmed that this “sophisticated” voice cloning was part of an organized crime operation apparently targeting elderly people.
The scam begins when fraudsters lure victims into a “lifestyle survey” phone call designed to obtain personal, health and financial details.
This information is then used to create AI-generated voice clones and simulate approval for automatic payments.
NTS added that these clones facilitate payments with banks and other legitimate financial providers without the victim’s knowledge.
He warned that victims were often unaware that payments had been received.
Latest figures from NTS show that adults in the UK now receive an average of seven scam calls or messages a month, with around a fifth (21 per cent) receiving them most days and 9 per cent receiving them every day.
NTS said it blocked nearly 21 million fraudulent phone calls and disconnected 2,000 numbers over a six-month period.
Louise Baxter, head of the NTS fraud team, said: “What we are seeing is a deeply disturbing combination of old and new: traditional phone scams backed by disturbing new techniques.
“Criminals are using AI not only to deceive victims, but also to trick legal systems into processing fraudulent payments.
“This is no longer just a nuisance; it is a coordinated, complex operation targeting some of the most situationally vulnerable consumers in society.
“We urge everyone to talk to friends and relatives about scam calls, check bank statements regularly and report anything suspicious.”
John Herriman, CEO of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), said: “This worrying new development in phone-based fraud shows how quickly criminals are using emerging technologies to prey on the public.
“Voice cloning takes scam calls to a new level and makes it even harder for legitimate businesses and consumers to distinguish genuine interactions from fake ones.
“Trading Standards teams across the UK are working tirelessly to disrupt these operations but we need the public to remain vigilant, talk to loved ones about the risks and report anything suspicious.”
