That panicky call from a relative? It could be a thief using a voice clone, FTC warns

That panicky call from a relative? It could be a thief using a voice clone, FTC warns Enlarge this image toggle caption Robert F. Bukaty/AP Robert F. Bukaty/AP For years, a common scam has involved getting a call from someone purporting to be an authority figure, like a police officer, urgently asking you to pay money to help get a friend or family member out of trouble. Now, federal regulators warn, such a call could come from someone who sounds just like that friend or family member — but is actually a scammer using a clone of their voice. The Federal Trade Commission issued a consumer alert this week urging people to be vigilant for calls using voice clones generated by artificial intelligence, one of the latest techniques used by criminals hoping to swindle people out of money. Sponsor Message "All needs is a short audio clip of your family member's voice — which he could get from content posted online — and a voice-cloning program," the commission warned.