Beware this holiday season: Scammers are impersonating your loved ones—and they sound just like them

The holidays bring laughter, reunions, and all the cheerful chaos that comes with the season. Between travel plans, endless shopping lists, and family get-togethers, most people are focused on celebration—not caution.

But behind the warmth of the season, scammers are using new technology to pull off one of the most heartless tricks yet. They’re posing as your own relatives, calling or messaging you with familiar voices that sound shockingly real. And before you know it, a scam disguised as a family emergency could cost you hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars.

What Is a “Fake Relative” Scam?​

If you remember the classic “grandparent scam” where someone calls pretending to be a grandchild in trouble, think of this as its high-tech, turbocharged cousin. With the advances in artificial intelligence, scammers can now clone voices with chilling accuracy. All it takes is a few seconds of audio from a social media post, a YouTube video, or even a voicemail, and suddenly, your “grandson” is on the line, sounding just like himself and begging for help.

These fraudsters don’t just mimic voices. They study your family’s online presence, pick up on names, locations, and recent events, and weave a story that feels all too real. This scam is not only convincing but also deeply personal.

Why Are These Scams Exploding During the Holidays?​

The holidays are prime time for emotional decision-making. Families are scattered across the country, communicating more by phone and video than ever before. People are sending money for gifts, covering travel emergencies, and feeling the pressure to make everything perfect. Scammers know this, and they’re counting on you to act fast—sometimes before you’ve had your morning coffee.

How Do These Scams Work?​

Picture this: You get a call from a number you don’t recognize. The voice on the other end is unmistakably your granddaughter’s, and she’s crying, saying she’s been in an accident and needs money right away. She begs you not to tell anyone else, especially her parents. She asks for the money to be sent via gift cards or a wire transfer. Your heart races. What do you do?

This is the exact scenario scammers are banking on. They want you to react emotionally, not logically. And with AI voice cloning, they’re more convincing than ever.

Also read: Before you give: Holiday charity scams are targeting generous retirees

Red Flags: How to Spot a “Fake Relative” Scam​

While AI voice cloning is sophisticated, these scams still follow predictable patterns. Knowing what to listen for can save you thousands:

• Urgent money demands: The caller claims they need cash immediately for bail, medical bills, or travel emergencies. The fake voice asks for emergency financial help, claiming to need it while traveling, after being arrested, kidnapped, or involved in an accident.
• Insistence on secrecy: Phrases like "Don't tell anyone..." or "Promise you won't call..." are major red flags designed to isolate you from verification.
• Unusual payment methods: Requests for gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency are classic scam indicators. Real family emergencies rarely require these untraceable payment methods.
• Emotional manipulation: A scammer's most potent tools are emotion and urgency—causing you to worry and panic, believing that unless you take immediate action, something terrible will happen.
• Details that don't quite fit: Even advanced AI can stumble on personal information. Listen for mispronounced names, wrong locations, or facts that don't align with recent family events.
• Refusal to verify: Legitimate family members understand your caution and will welcome verification calls. Scammers resist when you suggest calling back or contacting other relatives.
• Poor call quality: Sometimes cloned voices have subtle technical artifacts—slight delays, unusual echoes, or quality that seems "off."
• Pressure tactics: Real emergencies allow time for basic verification. Scammers create false urgency to prevent you from thinking clearly.

Also read: This Texas teen outsmarted scammers with a simple computer science trick

Your Defense Strategy Against Voice Thieves​

The good news is that simple preparation can provide powerful protection against even sophisticated scams. The key is establishing verification protocols before you need them.

Set up family safe words immediately: Cybersecurity experts recommend safe phrases consisting of at least four words for greater security. Choose something memorable but not guessable from your online presence.

Establish a "pause and verify" rule: Train yourself to pause, verify independently, and speak to the actual person before responding to any emergency call requesting money.

Limit your audio footprint: Set social media profiles to private and restrict followers to people you know, especially wherever you post audio or video content. Ask family members to do the same.

Create backup contact methods: Ensure you have multiple ways to reach family members—different phone numbers, email addresses, or trusted mutual contacts who can verify emergencies.

Trust your instincts: If something feels "off" about a call, even when the voice sounds right, that instinct is worth investigating.

Also read: Don’t let holiday cheer turn into a scam—simple ways to stay safe this season

Government Fights Back Against AI Fraud​

Federal agencies are taking this threat seriously. The FTC announced its “Voice Cloning Challenge”, awarding four top prizes to innovative solutions, including algorithms to detect synthetic voice patterns and real-time deep fake detection in phone calls. Consumer Reports delivered a petition signed by more than 75,000 consumers urging the FTC to hold companies accountable that operate AI voice cloning products that enable scams.

The FBI recently warned that AI has increased the "believability" of criminal scams, as they "assist with content creation and can correct for human errors that might otherwise serve as warning signs of fraud."

Report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov immediately if you or someone you know has been targeted.

Remember: Scammers succeed by isolating victims and creating panic. By staying connected, informed, and prepared, you create barriers that even the most sophisticated AI cannot breach.

Read next:

• The scammers' favorite season is here: How to protect yourself during Medicare open enrollment
• Unlock the secrets of the digital world: How Denver’s surprising new program is empowering adults 60+ with apps and AI skills
• The new debit card scam that follows you home: Why fraudsters are now stealing from your porch

Key Takeaways

• Scammers are increasingly using AI voice cloning to impersonate relatives and trick people into sending money, especially during the busy holiday period.
• Warning signs of a “fake relative” scam include urgent requests for money, pressure to keep it secret, odd payment methods, slight inconsistencies in the story or voice, and a refusal to verify identity.
• To protect yourself, experts recommend pausing before reacting, verifying the story with other family members or safe words, and being careful about what personal audio or video you post online.
• Staying alert and skeptical is key—trust your instincts, confirm before sending money or personal information, and use resources like reverse phone lookups to help identify potential scams.

Have you or someone you know been targeted by a “fake relative” scam? What other tips can help people stay safe this season? Share your stories in the comments—your experience might help someone else avoid a costly mistake.