Spanish police reveal one brilliant way to combat AI phone scams

Why family codewords are your best defence against phone scams…

This story is becoming more and more common: Your phone buzzes with a WhatsApp message or an SMS from someone you “love” asking urgently for money. Or, you get a call that sounds just like your child or partner. But here’s the catch — it’s not them. Due to the advancement of artificial intelligence, scammers can now clone voices to send convincing messages posing as someone close to you.

Recognising how convincing these new scams have become, Spain’s Policía Nacional is now urging families to fight back with a tactic as simple as it is effective: a secret family codeword.

How scammers can imitate your family members using AI voice cloning

Previously, scammers relied on impersonal emails or unprofessional phone calls. Fraudsters can now use AI to mimic the voice of your mother, father, or best friend with just a few seconds of audio from a social media post or voicemail. They’ll contact you in a moment of stress — maybe saying they’ve lost their phone, are in trouble, or need money urgently.

Scams can start off with a plausible story but quickly escalate. You may be asked for money or personal details. Or you might click on a suspicious link. When you discover that it was not your relative, it is too late.

Steps to setting up a code of secret: They could save you

What can you do to avoid falling for the trap? The Policía Nacional’s advice is refreshingly practical: agree a secret codeword with your closest circle — something only your real loved ones would know. You could choose the name of the first pet you had, the last place you visited together or the title of a song from your childhood.

If you get a suspicious call or message, such as one that asks for sensitive information or money, then it is important to know the codeword. If they can’t, stop talking or hang up immediately. The scam fails.

A police spokesperson said in a recent YouTube video that codewords are almost impossible for someone to fake, even if the person has cloned their voice or created a perfect message. “It doesn’t matter how clever the scam is — if they don’t know your family code, you know it’s not really them.”

Police provide extra tips

• Do not overshare your social media posts: fraudsters can gather information about you from them.
• Scammers will try to get you to act faster than you can think.
• Speak to your family and make sure they know the codeword.

You don’t need to make things easy for criminals. Taking five minutes to set up a secret family code could save you a fortune — and a lot of heartache. Share this tip with your family and friends to help them stay ahead.