Technology is moving fast, but unfortunately, so are the scammers.
Across Britain, criminals are now using artificial intelligence to clone the voices of pensioners, creating a frightening new way to steal money.
These scams start with what seems like an innocent phone call—a “lifestyle survey”—but the consequences can be devastating.
National Trading Standards (NTS) has issued a warning that these calls are anything but harmless.
Pensioners are being tricked into sharing personal, financial, and health information.
This data is then used to create AI-generated voice clones, which can convince banks and companies that the victim has authorized payments, leaving accounts drained without the victim even realizing it.
How the Scam Works
Once the fraudsters have a voice clone, they can simulate consent for direct debits or other financial transactions.
In many cases, the victim has no idea money is being taken.
Worse, the stolen personal information is often sold to other criminal gangs, who can then bypass banking security and set up further fraudulent payments.
Louise Baxter MBE, head of the NTS scams team, described the situation as “a deeply disturbing combination of old and new.”
She explained that these scams mix traditional phone fraud with advanced AI techniques, turning what used to be a nuisance into a highly sophisticated attack aimed at vulnerable consumers.
Expert Warnings About the Risks
John Herriman, chief executive at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), emphasized how quickly criminals are exploiting new technologies.
“Voice cloning takes scam calls to a sinister new level,” he said, “making it extremely hard for both consumers and legitimate businesses to tell real interactions from fake ones.”
Trading Standards teams are working around the clock to shut down these operations, but they stress that the public plays a crucial role.
Pensioners and their families are urged to stay vigilant, check bank statements regularly, and report anything suspicious to authorities.
Scams on the Rise
The launch of this AI scam coincides with worrying new statistics.
On average, UK adults receive seven scam calls or texts every month.
About one in five adults gets scam messages almost daily, and nearly 9% are targeted every single day.
In the past six months alone, NTS reports blocking nearly 21 million scam calls and shutting down 2,000 phone numbers.
Lisa Webb, a consumer law expert at Which?, called the AI voice cloning trend “horrifying,” pointing out that no one should have to worry about their own voice being used against them.
She advised treating unexpected calls with caution and reminded people that legitimate organizations will not mind if you hang up and call them back using official numbers.
How to Protect Yourself
Ms. Webb also urged people to check their bank statements regularly and report any suspicious transactions immediately.
She noted that scammers often pretend to be government officials or bank staff, try to create a sense of urgency, or use fear, hope, or excitement to manipulate victims.
They may also exploit limited-time offers or popular events to make their scams seem believable.
Staying alert, registering with the Telephone Preference Service to reduce unsolicited calls, and having open conversations with friends and family about scam risks are essential steps to protect yourself and others from these high-tech crimes.
Staying One Step Ahead
As AI technology becomes more sophisticated, so do the methods criminals use to exploit it.
Remaining informed, regularly monitoring financial accounts, and encouraging loved ones to be cautious can help prevent pensioners and other vulnerable individuals from falling victim to these sophisticated, modern scams.
