Scammers have long used emails, text messages and phone calls to trick people into handing over money or personal information. Now, advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are creating a new challenge: voice cloning scams. Criminals can use AI technology to create a convincing copy of someone’s voice using only a short audio sample from a social media video, voicemail greeting or other online recording.
The "Hi Mum" scam now has a voice.
You may already be familiar with the "Hi Mum" text message scam. Now imagine receiving the request in your loved one’s voice. The caller sounds distressed and claims they’ve been in an accident, lost their phone, or urgently need money. Because the voice sounds familiar, people may act before stopping to verify the story.
How to protect yourself.
The good news is that a few simple habits can help keep you safe:
- pause before acting – scammers want you to feel pressured or emotional
- verify independently – if you receive an unexpected call asking for money or personal information, hang up and call the person back on a number you already know and trust
- be cautious of urgency – requests for immediate payment, secrecy or gift cards are common scam tactics
- think about what is being asked – even if a voice sounds familiar, consider whether the request makes sense
- stay connected – talk to family members about AI scams and agree on ways to verify genuine emergencies.
ScamWatch encourages Australians to "stop, check and protect" themselves, reminding people that AI-generated voices can sound remarkably convincing.
How to spot an AI voice scam.
Here are some practical ‘red flags’ to look out for.
Red flag 1: An urgent request for money.
Be suspicious if someone suddenly contacts you asking for money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, bank transfers or payment of a bill.
Common stories include:
- "I've been in an accident."
- "I've lost my phone and wallet."
- "I'm stuck overseas."
- "I need help right now."
Scammers create urgency because they don't want you to stop and think.
Red flag 2: They don't want you to check.
Be cautious if the caller discourages you from:
- calling them back
- contacting another family member
- asking questions only they would know.
If the caller becomes impatient, aggressive or insists there isn't time, treat it as a warning sign.
Red flag 3: The call is unexpected.
Even if the voice sounds familiar, be cautious if:
- the number is unknown
- the caller claims to have a new phone
- the caller asks you not to contact them on their usual number.
Hang up and call the person's known number instead.
*Please note that with sim-jacking, calls and messages can also come from familiar phone-numbers.
Red flag 4: The voice sounds right, but something feels "off".
AI voices are improving rapidly, but there may still be details about the situation that don’t add up.
Ask questions such as:
- "Where are you right now?"
- "What's our family password?"
- "What's the name of our dog?"
- "Who did we see last weekend?"
Of course, a scammer could still know the answers, so you should still verify the request independently.
Red flag 5: The story is designed to create panic.
Scammers rely on panic, fear and concern.
If you receive a call claiming:
- a loved one has been arrested
- someone has been injured
- a family member needs immediate financial help.
Take a breath. Verify before taking any action.
What does voice cloning mean for Voice ID?
With so much discussion about AI-generated voices, you might wonder whether Voice ID technology is still safe to use.
At Beyond Bank, Voice ID is designed very differently from simply recognising a recording of your voice. Voice ID analyses more than 100 characteristics of your speech, creating a secure digital voiceprint that is unique to you. It doesn't rely on a single phrase or a basic recording. Instead, it looks at a range of voice characteristics to help verify your identity when you call us.
Voice ID is designed to make banking both more secure and more convenient:
- it helps us identify you faster when you call
- it adds another layer of protection against impersonation attempts
- your voiceprint is securely encrypted
- if something doesn't seem right, our team can still use additional identification checks before processing requests.
Most importantly, Voice ID is only one part of Beyond Bank's wider approach to protecting members from fraud and scams. Additional security controls remain in place for higher-risk transactions and unusual activity.
Stay alert, stay informed.
AI technology is creating exciting opportunities, but scammers are always looking for new ways to exploit it. By staying alert, verifying unexpected requests and taking advantage of security features such as Voice ID, you can help protect yourself and your finances.
To learn more about Voice ID, visit Beyond Bank's Voice ID information page or speak with our team on 13 25 85.
Remember: if something doesn't feel right, stop, check and verify before taking action. A few extra moments to check could help protect you from a scam.
