Free safety planVoice cloning scams:
Voice cloning scams:
a plan for families and hospitals
AI can now copy a person's voice from a short recording. Scammers use it to fake a panicked call from a grandchild, or a doctor calling for patient details. A simple plan beats panic.
1
For families
- Agree on a family safe word that never goes online.
- If a loved one calls in an emergency asking for money, hang up and call them back on the number you already have.
- Be careful with long voice clips on public social media.
- Never send money, gift cards or crypto because of a voice alone.
2
For hospitals and clinics
- Never release patient information or change orders based on voice alone. Call back on a known number.
- Train staff that a familiar voice is no longer proof of identity.
- Use a callback or code-word process for urgent requests from executives and physicians.
- Report suspected voice fraud to your security and compliance teams.
If you think you were targeted
- Stop and do not send anything.
- Call the person back directly on a number you trust.
- Contact your bank right away if money already moved.
- Report the scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
I have tested voice cloning on my own voice to understand it. The copy was good enough to worry me, and that is why I wrote this page.
This page is general safety education, not legal advice.
Written by Harvey Castro, MD, MBA, board-certified emergency physician. Last reviewed November 12, 2026.