How to spot AI scams: voice cloning, fake videos and phishing
Scammers now use AI to copy voices, make fake videos and write convincing messages. The good news is that the same simple habits still protect you. This guide explains what to look for and what to do.
The golden rule: Stop. Check. Protect.
This is the advice from Scamwatch, run by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
- Stop. Take a moment before you give anyone money or personal details. Scammers rush you on purpose.
- Check. Contact the person or organisation yourself, using a number or website you found yourself.
- Protect. If something feels wrong, act quickly. Call your bank and report it.
1. Cloned voices of family and friends
Scamwatch warns that scammers can use a few seconds of someone’s voice to create an AI copy. They may call pretending to be a grandchild, child or friend in trouble, asking for money urgently.
What to do
- Hang up, even if the voice sounds exactly right.
- Call the person back on the number you already have for them.
- Agree on a family “safe word” that only you know. Ask for it in any emergency call.
- Be very wary of “Don’t tell Mum and Dad” or “Keep this a secret”. That is a pressure tactic.
2. Fake videos (deepfakes)
A deepfake is a video or recording made with AI to show someone saying or doing something they never did. Scammers often use fake videos of celebrities, business people or politicians to promote investments or products.
Signs to look for
eSafety, Australia’s online safety regulator, suggests checking for:
- blurring, especially around the mouth, eyes and neck
- skin that looks patchy or oddly smooth
- glitches, or sudden changes in lighting or background
- sound that doesn’t quite match the lips
- strange blinking or movement.
Fakes are getting better, so don’t rely on spotting a glitch. Ask yourself: would this person really say this, here, now? A famous person “recommending” a get-rich-quick investment is a big warning sign.
3. Convincing fake messages (phishing)
Phishing is when scammers pretend to be a trusted organisation, such as your bank, myGov, Services Australia or a toll road company. AI helps them write messages with no spelling mistakes, so a well-written message is no proof it is real.
Warning signs from Scamwatch
- The message says there is a problem with your account and you must act now.
- It does not use your proper name.
- The sender’s address or website is slightly different from the real one.
- It asks you to click a link, open an attachment, or call a number in the message.
Scamwatch says government organisations will never text or email you a link to log on to services such as myGov. Banks will never ask you to move money to a “safe account” or to give them a one-time code.
Never give these to anyone who contacts you
- Passwords, PINs or one-time codes sent to your phone
- Card or bank details
- Remote access to your computer or phone
- Payment by gift card, cryptocurrency or bank transfer to a stranger
Simple habits that help
- Let calls from unknown numbers go to voicemail.
- Don’t click links in texts or emails. Open the official app or type the website address yourself.
- Talk it over with someone you trust before you send money. Scamwatch recommends a second opinion.
- Set your social media to private, so fewer strangers can see your videos and family details.
If you think you’ve been scammed
- Call your bank straight away. Ask them to stop any payments.
- Change your passwords for email, banking and government accounts.
- Get free help from IDCARE on 1800 595 160 or at idcare.org (opens in new tab). They help you make a recovery plan.
- Report it to Scamwatch (opens in new tab) to help protect others, and to police through cyber.gov.au (opens in new tab).
Being scammed is not your fault. Scammers are skilled criminals and they target everyone. If you feel overwhelmed, Lifeline is available on 13 11 14.
eSafety and Be Connected also run free online sessions for older Australians on spotting scams. See eSafety’s seniors page (opens in new tab).
Common questions
Can AI really copy my grandchild’s voice?
Yes. Scamwatch says scammers can use a few seconds of a voice recording to make an AI copy. That is why calling back on a number you already have is so important.
How can I tell if a video is fake?
Look for blurring, odd blinking, mismatched sound or lighting changes. But good fakes can look real, so the safest test is the message itself: if it pushes you to pay or invest quickly, treat it as a scam.
Is it safe to use AI tools like ChatGPT?
Using the real ChatGPT website or app is not a scam. The danger is fake sites or callers using the name of AI. Go to chatgpt.com yourself and never pay to “unlock” the free version.
Who do I report a scam to in Australia?
Contact your bank first if money or bank details are involved. Then report to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au, and to police via cyber.gov.au. IDCARE (1800 595 160) offers free recovery help.
Where this advice comes from
- Scamwatch: Stop. Check. Protect. (opens in new tab)
- Scamwatch: How scammers use technology and AI (opens in new tab)
- Scamwatch: Phishing scams (opens in new tab)
- Scamwatch: Phone scams (opens in new tab)
- eSafety Commissioner: Fake news and misinformation (spotting deepfakes) (opens in new tab)
- Be Connected: How to spot fake news and AI images (opens in new tab)
- eSafety: Online scams for seniors (opens in new tab)
Checked 15 October 2026. Websites and free plans change, so check the official page if something looks different.