Your child calls in a panic. But it's a computer voice.

With a few seconds of sound from a video, scammers can copy a voice. Then they call a parent or grandparent.

1How they do it

1. They take a snippet of a voice from social media or an earlier phone call.
2. A program turns it into an imitation voice.
3. You get a call: "Mum, I've had an accident, I need money." Then a "lawyer" or "police officer" takes over.
4. There is no time: you must pay now or hand money to a courier.

2A real example

"Grandma, it's me! I'm at the police station, I can't talk for long. You need to pay 5,000 euros bail. Don't tell Mum."

3How to spot it

• Panic, haste and secrecy.
• The person cannot answer a question only they would know.
• A stranger who takes over the conversation.

4How to protect yourself

• Hang up and call the person back yourself on the number you know.
• Agree on a family code word.
• Never hand money or cards to a courier.

Suspicious number, email or website? Check it or report it.

Examples have been made unrecognisable. Names and numbers in the examples are made up.

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