Voice Cloning: The Secret Word That Can Protect Your Family

We all believe we can recognize the voice of a loved one. However, voice cloning technology is advancing at a breakneck pace. “All it takes for fraudsters to create a convincing deepfake is a few seconds of audio footage,” says Phil Muncaster at WeLiveSecurity, the information platform of global cybersecurity company ESET.

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According to a report by Hiya , published in March, one in four Americans say they have received a phone call with a “deepfake” voice in the past 12 months. An additional 24% say they can’t tell the difference.

But once they clone a voice, what do they do with it?

“One of the most common scams involves calling a relative without warning and playing an audio deepfake designed to make them believe their loved one has been kidnapped,” Muncaster explains. These virtual kidnapping scams can seem even more realistic, as the scammers list personal information that they have also collected from the same social media accounts.

Scammers may also monitor the victim's social media profiles, as well as those of their relatives, in order to choose the right time to strike. This tactic can prove even more effective if the victim is abroad at the time and therefore not checking their phone for incoming calls.

The key for the scammers is to keep the victim's relatives in a state of uncertainty and cause them intense psychological pressure. To this end, they use the cloned voice for only a few seconds at a time, mixing it with sobbing sounds and possibly adding background noise to make the whole scene sound more convincing and chaotic.

What is the "secret word"?

In this context, one of the simplest yet most effective things you can do to uncover a scam is to agree on a “secret word” with your family members. This is a word or phrase that will be easy for them to remember and which they can ask for in case they suspect that your voice has been processed with deepfake technology. A fraudster will have no way of knowing what the “secret word” is, thus revealing the attempted fraud and preventing, for example, an attempt to convince a family member to pay money.

Of course, the word should be easy to remember, but at the same time unusual enough. It also shouldn’t be something that could be inferred from reading your social media posts or other open intelligence (OSINT) sources. This means, for starters, you should avoid pet names or favorite sports teams.

How to propose without scaring your family

There is, however, a right and a wrong way to agree to such a process. You don't want to cause concern to your family. At the same time, however, it is important for them to understand that technology has evolved and that there are people who are willing to exploit it to defraud others.

It may help to explain that you will most likely never need to use the secret word. However, you can discuss some scenarios in which it would be a good idea to ask for it. For example, in the event of a disturbing and unexpected call, where someone who sounds like you is trying to extort money or sensitive information from them, the secret word can act as a simple way to confirm your identity.

What happens if someone forgets the secret word?

It’s important to have a backup plan in case someone can’t remember their secret word. The best thing you can do is encourage your family members to end the call and then call you back at the number they have saved for you on their device. Alternatively, they can message you through an existing communication group you’ve set up. This way, they’ll know right away whether you’re in danger or not.

Another option is to ask a different question, the answer to which only a family member would know. The question should not involve information that can be searched online. It is also important for them to know that they should never send money or share personal information if something seems suspicious to them.

What to do if you've already fallen victim to deepfake fraud

Don't feel guilty. Deepfake technology is becoming more convincing by the day. If you or a family member has fallen victim to such a scam:

• Stop all communication with the scammer immediately.
• Contact your bank, explain what happened and ask if there is a possibility of blocking or recovering the money that was taken from you.
• Change any passwords that may have been exposed on all relevant accounts. This is a good opportunity to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) and set strong, unique passwords for each account. You can store them securely in a password manager.
• Keep any relevant evidence, such as phone numbers, messages or audio recordings.
• Report the fraud to the relevant authorities.

Remember: scammers are ruthless. Be on the lookout for new scams that may promise to refund your money for a fee or help you secure your accounts. They are lying. If you pay them, you will only increase your losses.

FAQ

How can scammers gain access to my voice?

It only takes a few seconds of recording to create a convincing clone of your voice. The recording can come from content you’ve posted publicly, in which you speak, for example, in the context of your work, or from video and audio content you’ve shared on social media. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to limit access to your content and only allow people you know to follow you.

Can a "secret security word" really stop deepfakes?

Nothing is completely secure. However, a “safeword” is a great and free option for uncovering a deepfake-based audio scam, such as fake or virtual kidnappings. It doesn’t prevent the deepfake from being created, but it can significantly reduce the chances of the scam succeeding.

What happens if the scammers guess the word?

Anything is possible. However, if you choose a random and unusual word or phrase that has no real meaning outside of your family, it will be extremely difficult for scammers to guess. However, it is useful to have backup plans in case this happens. For example, you can agree that, if in doubt, you will end the call and call the person back directly.

What should I do if I have been a victim of fraud?

Stop all communication with the scammers and contact your bank immediately to inform them. Keep as much evidence of the fraud as possible. If necessary, change your account passwords and report the fraud to the relevant authorities.

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