Lesson 2 of 5 · about 5 min
Voice clones and family code words
When you finish, you can handle a suspicious urgent call and set up a family code word.
Stuck? Ask the AI tutorHow voice cloning scams work
Some tools can copy a voice from a short recording, such as a clip on social media. A scammer then calls, pretending to be a child, grandchild or friend in trouble. The voice sounds right, the story is frightening, and the caller asks for money fast.
The scam works because fear shuts down careful thinking. Knowing this in advance is your protection. If a call makes your heart race and asks for money, treat that feeling as the alarm.
Hang up and call back
The best defense is simple. Say you will call right back. Hang up. Then call the person on the number you already have, or contact another family member who can reach them. A real person in trouble will understand. A scammer wants you to stay on the line.
Never use a number the caller gives you. Never move to a new app because they ask. If you cannot reach the person, ask someone else in the family to try.
Set a family code word
A code word is a secret word or phrase only your family knows. If someone calls in trouble, you ask for the word. A scammer will not know it. Pick something easy to remember but hard to guess, not a pet's name or a birthday that can be found online.
Agree on it in person or on a trusted call, not in a group chat that might be seen. Practice once. Decide what happens if someone forgets: for example, ask a question only the real person could answer, like a shared memory not posted anywhere.
A worked example
Aisha in Lagos gets a call: "Mum, I had an accident, please send money." The voice sounds like her son. She says, "What is our code word?" The caller hesitates and hangs up. She then calls her son's real number and finds him safe at work.
A weak response is sending money out of fear. A strong response is the code word, the hang-up, and the call back.
Practice now
- Pick a family code word with one relative today, and agree what to do if the word is forgotten.
- Practice saying out loud: "I will call you right back on the number I have." Say it three times so it feels natural.
Use any AI assistant you have. Do not paste private, client or patient information into it.
Check yourself
1. A caller who sounds like your child begs for money. What first?
2. Which makes a good code word?
3. Why do voice clone scams work?
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