Warnings of new scam that uses an AI clone of your own voice to steal cash
National Trading Standards tell us its a "sinister" development by highly organised crime gangs
Criminals are using AI technology to clone people’s voices and set up unauthorised direct debits, as part of a new scam uncovered by National Trading Standards.
The voice cloning technique is part of an organised criminal operation that harvests people’s personal data to target victims with a wave of scam and nuisance calls.
The process begins over the phone with a fake ‘lifestyle survey’ phone call – seemingly harmless, but designed to gather detailed personal, health and financial information.
AI scam uses victim's own voice against them
The criminals use this data to develop AI-generated voice clones used to simulate consent for direct debits, deceiving even legitimate businesses and financial providers.
These details appear then to be passed or sold to other criminal operations who, with the details, circumvent the banks and set up payments without the victim’s knowledge.
Victims often do not realise payments are being taken.
Louise Baxter, Head of the National Trading Standards Scams Team, said: “What we’re seeing is a deeply disturbing combination of old and new: traditional phone scams supported by disturbing new techniques.
"Criminals are using AI not just to deceive victims, but to trick legitimate systems into processing fraudulent payments. This is no longer just a nuisance – it’s a coordinated, sophisticated operation targeting some of the most situationally vulnerable consumers in society.
Victims tricked into setting up fake payments
"We urge everyone to speak to friends and relatives about scam calls, check bank statements regularly and report anything suspicious.”
The details are revealed as new data, released today by National Trading Standards, show that:
- On average, UK adults receive 7 scam calls or texts per month
- 1 in 5 (21%) receive scam calls or texts most days – and almost 1 in 10 (9%) receive them every day
- NTS blocked nearly 21 million scam phone calls and shut down 2,000 numbers in a six-month period.
National Trading Standards blocking scam calls
NTS has blocked nearly 21 million scam phone calls and shut down 2,000 numbers in the last 6 months.
John Herriman, Chief Executive at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), said: “This alarming new twist in phone-based fraud shows just how quickly criminals are exploiting emerging technologies to prey on the public.
"Voice cloning takes scam calls to a sinister new level, making it even harder for legitimate businesses and consumers to distinguish real interactions from fraudulent ones.
“Trading Standards teams across the UK are working tirelessly to disrupt these operations, but we need the public to stay alert, talk to loved ones about the risks, and report anything suspicious. Protecting consumers, especially those most vulnerable, requires all of us to stay informed and work together to tackle these modern day and emerging examples of fraud.”
You can find out more about scams on the National Trading Standards website
Get clued up about what to do if you're targeted by fraudsters
You can check if something feels like a scam on the Ask Silver tool.
And speak to your bank if you think payments are being taken without your consent.