Family Emergency Scams and Cloned Voices
Someone who sounds like a child or grandchild says they're in trouble and need money fast. The voice may be copied by software.
How it works
The caller says they're a relative who's been arrested, in an accident, or stranded, and begs you not to tell anyone. A "lawyer" or "officer" may come on the line to ask for bail money, often by gift card, wire or cryptocurrency. Scammers can now copy a voice from a short clip posted online.
A plan that works
- Agree on a family safe word now, one only your family knows. Ask a caller for it.
- Hang up and call the relative on the number you already have. Or call another family member.
- Be wary of any request to pay with gift cards, a wire or crypto, or to keep it secret.
- If you sent money, contact your bank or the payment company right away, and report to the FTC. In Canada, use the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Sources
Reviewed October 2026. Rules and scam tactics change; check the official pages for the latest.
Check a number
Got a number you don't recognize? Look it up to see where it started and whether it looks risky.
More guides
- One-Ring Calls: Why You Shouldn't Call Back
- Caller ID Spoofing: Why the Number Can Lie
- IRS Scam Calls: What the Real IRS Does and Doesn't Do
- Social Security Scam Calls: Your Number Isn't Suspended
- Bank Fraud Alert Calls: How to Tell a Real One
- Fake Delivery Calls and Texts (USPS, FedEx, UPS)
- Tech Support Scams: Microsoft and Apple Don't Cold-Call
- Robocalls and the Do Not Call List: What They Do
- How to Block Scam Calls and Report Them