A scammer needs only a short recording of someone’s voice to make a convincing copy of it. The simplest and most effective defence is a family safe word: a private word or phrase that only your family knows, which anyone in an emergency call must say before you send money or share anything. This guide shows how to set one up in 10 minutes and what to do when a call feels wrong.
- Do not trust a voice. The FTC’s advice is blunt: a familiar voice on the phone is no longer proof of who is calling.
- Agree a safe word today. The FBI recommends a secret word or phrase with family members, and UAE experts call it a “golden word.”
- Hang up and call back on a number you already know. This works even without a safe word.
- Be extra careful with urgent money requests, secrecy, and unusual payment methods.
- Protect older relatives first. They are among the most targeted, and a short family conversation can prevent a large loss.
How voice-clone scam calls work
In a classic “family emergency” scam, a caller pretends to be a relative in trouble, often a grandchild, and asks for money urgently. What has changed is the voice. In March 2023 the U.S. Federal Trade Commission warned that scammers can use AI to clone a family member’s voice, and that all they need is “a short audio clip” of the person, which may come from a video or post online, plus a voice-cloning tool.
In December 2024 the FBI warned that criminals use generative AI to clone the voices of relatives and public figures to trigger fraudulent transfers. Its advice was to create a secret word or phrase with family members and to listen closely to tone and word choice. In October 2026, Dubai Police warned residents about AI-powered scams that use fake voices and images to impersonate people, businesses and government entities, and urged them to stop, verify through trusted channels, then act.
- An unknown number calls, often late at night or at a stressful time.
- A voice that sounds like your relative cries or sounds panicked: “I had an accident,” “I am in trouble,” “I need money now.”
- A second person may join, posing as a lawyer, police officer or doctor.
- You are told to keep it secret and to pay quickly by a hard-to-trace method such as gift cards, a bank transfer, cryptocurrency or a courier pickup.
The emotion is the weapon. When you think someone you love is hurt or in danger, your brain wants to act, not to verify. A pre-agreed safe word gives you a calm, simple test that you can use even when you are frightened.
8 warning signs during a call
Extreme urgency
“Right now,” “before they find out,” “there is no time.” Real emergencies can wait the 60 seconds it takes to verify.
A demand for secrecy
“Do not tell Mum,” “do not call anyone.” Scammers isolate you so no one can check.
Unusual payment
Gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, cash handed to a courier. Real authorities and hospitals do not ask for these.
An unknown number
“My phone broke” or “I am using a friend’s phone” is a common excuse. Numbers can also be faked.
A voice that is slightly off
Odd pauses, flat or overly even tone, strange word choices or breathing, or background noise that does not fit.
Vague answers
The caller avoids details and cannot answer a simple personal question that only the real person would know.
Someone takes over
A “lawyer,” “police officer” or “bank agent” takes the phone and repeats the urgency and the payment instructions.
A refusal to hang up
The caller tries to keep you on the line, or gets angry when you want to call back. That is the clearest sign of all.
Cloned voices can be convincing, especially on a poor phone line. The FTC advises, “Don’t trust the voice.” Judge the situation, not the sound.
The family safe word
A family safe word (also called a code word, secret word or “golden word”) is a word or short phrase that only your close family knows. If someone calls in an emergency and asks for money or sensitive information, you ask for the safe word. A real relative knows it. A scammer, or an AI clone built from a few seconds of audio, does not.
Say it first in any emergency call that asks for money. No word, no money. Hang up and call back on a saved number.
Why it works
It does not depend on spotting audio glitches. It tests knowledge a scammer cannot easily get.
Why experts recommend it
The FBI advises creating a secret word or phrase with family, and UAE experts recommend a “golden word,” especially with elderly relatives.
What it does not do
It will not help if someone hears it, if you share it online, or if you forget to ask. Pair it with the call-back rule.
How to choose a good safe word
| Do | Do not |
|---|---|
| Choose something random and easy to remember, such as “blue lantern” or “mango staircase” | Use anything findable online: pet names, birthdays, school names, street names |
| Use two or three unrelated words | Use a single common word like “family” or “love” |
| Agree it in person or on a call you control | Send it in a text, email or group chat that others could read |
| Share it only with close family who might be called | Post it, or say it near smart speakers and on recorded calls |
| Change it if you think it was exposed, and review it every year | Keep using a word that someone outside the family has heard |
| Have a backup question, such as “what did we eat on my birthday last year?” | Use a backup question whose answer is on social media |
Some families set a “challenge word” and a “reply word.” Mum says “lantern,” and the real child must answer “mango.” This stops a scammer who overhears one word from passing the test.
Do not use your safe word anywhere else. It is not a password, and it should never appear in a digital note or a cloud document that could be breached. Our guide on checking if your email was in a data breach explains how leaks happen.
How to talk to your family about it
The hardest part is not the word. It is having the conversation without scaring people or making them feel foolish. Pick a calm moment, such as a family meal.
- Practice once. Do a quick role-play so the habit feels natural.
- Keep a written copy in a safe place at home, not on a shared device.
- Include everyone who might be called: grandparents, parents, siblings, uncles and aunts, and household help who answer the phone.
- Add a “no shame” rule. Anyone who thinks they have been tricked should say so immediately, because speed is what saves money.
What to do on a suspicious call
Stay calm and slow it down
Take a breath. Ask the caller to repeat. Do not give any names, because scammers use what you say (“Is that you, David?”) to improve the act.
Ask for the safe word
“What is our word?” If the caller dodges, gets angry or makes excuses, you have your answer.
Hang up
You are allowed to end any call. Say, “I will call you right back,” and hang up. Do not use any number the caller gives you, and do not press “redial.”
Call the real person on a saved number
Use the contact in your phone. If they do not answer, message them, or call another relative or their friend, workplace or school to check. The FTC says to contact the relative directly on a number you know is theirs, and to check with other family if you cannot reach them.
Do not pay or share anything
No money, gift card codes, bank details, one-time passcodes or personal information until you have verified.
Report it
Tell your family so they are alert, and report the call to the authorities (see the reporting links below).
That one sentence stops most scams. Real family members understand. Scammers do not want you to verify.
Common voice-clone scenarios
“I have been in an accident” or “I am in jail”
A crying voice asks for money for bail, hospital fees or legal costs, and begs you not to tell anyone. A second voice takes over as a “lawyer” or “officer.” Hang up and call the real person.
“We have your child”
You hear a distressed voice in the background and a demand for immediate payment. Stay on a different line, contact the child or school directly, and call the police.
“This is your bank or the police”
A caller with an official tone says your account is compromised, or you owe a fine. Dubai Police have warned that scammers impersonate government entities and businesses. Verify through official apps and phone numbers.
“Send the payment now”
The voice of a manager asks for an urgent transfer or gift cards. Use your company’s approval process and call back on a known number.
“I am calling your parent pretending to be you”
UAE experts have warned about scammers calling elderly parents while pretending to be their children. Talk to your parents now, before it happens, and make sure they know your real number and your safe word.
For more, see how fakes are used in images and video, and how to avoid fake text messages.
A safe-word system for workplaces
Fake voices are also used against businesses, where one call can authorize a large payment. Simple controls help.
- Two-person approval for new payees, changed bank details and large or urgent transfers
- Call-back rule: confirm any payment request through a number in your own directory, never one in the message
- Code phrases for senior staff who approve payments by phone
- A written “no exceptions” policy so staff are not blamed for slowing down an urgent request
- Training: short, regular reminders about voice and video fakes
If you already sent money or shared details
- Call your bank immediately and ask them to stop or recall the payment.
- Stop all contact with the caller and do not pay “fees” to get the money back.
- Save evidence: the phone number, time of the call, screenshots and receipts.
- Secure your accounts if you shared codes or passwords.
- Report it to the police and the agencies below.
Our first-24-hours checklist explains every step by payment method.
Reduce what scammers can copy
- Review privacy settings on social media so only people you know can see your videos and voice notes.
- Think before posting long videos where you speak at length, especially public ones.
- Do not answer unknown calls with long conversations. Let them leave a voicemail, and avoid saying “yes” or confirming your name to strangers.
- Change your voicemail greeting to a generic message, or a text-based one, if you are very exposed.
- Be careful with “survey” and “quality assurance” calls that try to record your voice.
- Turn on spam call filters on your phone and with your carrier.
You cannot stop a determined criminal from collecting a few seconds of your voice. That is why the safe word and call-back rule matter more than hiding your voice.
If you live in the UAE
- Follow Dubai Police advice: stop, verify through trusted channels, then act, and do not rely on voice or image alone to confirm who is calling.
- Protect elderly relatives. UAE experts and the Ministry of Interior have pointed out that older people are among the most targeted because scammers exploit trust in official authorities and eagerness to help family. Agree a “golden word” with parents and grandparents before any money is transferred.
- Report fraud calls: in Dubai, call Dubai Police on 901 or use the eCrime platform. In Abu Dhabi, call the Aman service on 800 2626.
- Call your bank first if you sent money. Use the number on your card or banking app.
- Be careful with calls claiming to be MoHRE, banks or police. Verify through official websites and apps.
Phone numbers and procedures can change. Confirm them on official websites before relying on them.
Elsewhere
In the United States, report to ReportFraud.ftc.gov and ic3.gov. In other countries, use your national police cybercrime unit and consumer protection agency.
Frequently asked questions
Can scammers really clone my voice from a short clip?
Yes. The FTC has warned that a short audio clip, such as one taken from a social media video, can be enough for a voice-cloning tool. The quality varies, but it can be convincing, especially over a phone line.
What is a family safe word?
A private word or phrase that only close family knows. You ask for it when someone calls in an emergency and asks for money, so a real relative can prove who they are.
What if the caller says they forgot the safe word?
Treat it as a failed test. Hang up and call the person back on a number you already have. A real emergency can wait a minute for you to confirm.
What if I have no safe word and the call sounds real?
Hang up and call back on a saved number, ask a question only the real person could answer, and contact another family member. Never send money while still on the call.
How often should we change the safe word?
Once a year, and immediately if you think someone outside the family has heard it.
Can voice cloning be used for video calls too?
Yes. Scammers can combine cloned voices with fake or altered video. See our guide on how to tell if an image or video is AI-generated for call checks.
Who should I report a voice-clone scam to?
Your bank if money was sent, then the police and national fraud agency. In the UAE, call Dubai Police on 901 or the Aman service on 800 2626. In the United States, use ReportFraud.ftc.gov and ic3.gov.
Set your safe word tonight
It takes ten minutes, costs nothing and could save your family thousands.
Sources
- KnowBe4: The new face of fraud, FTC sheds light on AI-enhanced family emergency scams (March 2023, quoting the FTC)
- TechTarget: FBI, Criminals using AI to commit fraud on a larger scale (December 2024)
- Emirates 24|7: Dubai Police alert public to AI-powered scams using fake voices and images (October 2026)
- Emirates 24|7: AI voice scam targeting seniors (October 2026)
- CyberScoop: FBI IC3 2025 annual report · ic3.gov
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