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An audio expert shares the red flags to watch for and simple ways to stay one step ahead of AI-powered fraud

• Voice cloning are on the rise, with scammers using just seconds of audio to mimic people you know and create convincing, high-pressure calls.

• Key warning signs include flat or unusual emotional tone, odd pauses or phrasing, and urgent requests often coming from unknown numbers.

• You can protect yourself by slowing down, verifying the caller through trusted contact methods, and using tools like family codewords to confirm identities.

If you got a call from a loved one asking for help, youd probably trust it without a second thought. Thats exactly what scammers are counting on.

A growing wave of voice cloning is using artificial intelligence to mimic real people sometimes with just a few seconds of audio pulled from social media to create eerily convincing calls.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with security expert James Grifo, Owner and CEO of Audiovisual Nation, to break down the biggest warning signs, how to avoid falling victim to these , and practical steps you and your family can take to stay safe in an era where hearing a familiar voice isnt always enough to trust it.

Know the warning signs

Grifo shared the biggest red flags that consumers should look for when it comes to voice cloning :

• Small inconsistencies that you dont expect from a real person. One inconsistency is easy to overlook, but be wary when they add up.

• Emotional tone. The voice can come across as slightly flat or off, even if what they are saying sounds convincing. In an emergency, people sound less controlled, so you might hear strain, tone variation, or even panic in their voice. AI still struggles to replicate that fully.

• The way the person speaks. You might notice odd pauses, unusual pacing, or phrasing that doesnt sound like the person you know. Speech patterns are incredibly personal, making it easy to notice when they are off.

• A sense of urgency. These calls almost always come with urgency and pressure to act quickly, typically from an unknown number. That combination is a red flag.

Dont be fooled by realistic voice clones

AI has made it all too easy for scammers to sound like people you know and trust. Grifo says not getting fooled by this is the key.

Cloned voices are surprisingly realistic, but only at surface level, he said. Scammers only need a few seconds of audio to recreate tone, accent, and cadence well enough to sound familiar.

Context is what makes these calls convincing. If you get a call that sounds like your child in distress and asking for help, your brain fills in the gaps. You arent analyzing audio quality in that moment because its emotionally charged.

You can stop the scam

If you suspect that someone youre on the phone with is scamming you, what should you do? Grifo says that the power lies in your hands.

If you suspect a scam, pause and break the momentum of the call, Grifo said. These rely on urgency. As soon as you slow things down, you take away their advantage.

Here are his best tips for stopping the scam:

• Hang up and contact the person directly on their usual number. Dont rely on the call you just received, even if it sounds convincing. If you cant reach the person, check with someone else who can confirm where they are, like a partner or workplace.

• Avoid sending money or sharing any personal information until youve verified the situation.

• If something feels off, trust that instinct. Its better to double-check and be wrong than to act quickly and regret it.

Protecting yourself from scammers

While it may seem like these are unavoidable, there are some steps to protect yourself and your family.

Protection starts with putting checks in place before anything happens, Grifo said. He also offered some advice for consumers to steer clear of these :

• Establish a codeword. A verbal codeword with close family is a strong first step. You can ask for it straight away in suspicious circumstances, and a scammer wont be able to provide it.

• Build the habit of verifying before doing. Dont act on a single call, especially if it involves money or urgency. Hang up and contact the person directly using a number you trust.

• Ask questions that only that person would know. Also,take a moment to think about whether the scenario makes sense. It all helps to pressure-test the scenario.

Scammers rely on timing and emotion, " Grifo said. The voice technology is only part of it. They are putting you in a situation where you feel you have to act immediately. But if you pause and verify, you can stop a scam in its tracks.

Why all natural means almost nothing

• Buzzwords like natural, fat-free, and high protein can make junk food seem healthier than it really is.

• Claims like no high-fructose corn syrup and healthy-looking images are often just smart marketing tricks.

• Flip the package over, check the ingredients, and compare similar products before you buy.

Food companies dont lie, but they definitely dont tell you the whole story. Instead, according to the Huffington Post, they rely on a health halo to get their messaging across.

In other words, they use a few carefully chosen words or images that make you assume a product is better for you than it really is.

If you dont know what to look for, its easy to overpay for food thats basically dressed-up junk.

The biggest label tricks to watch for

• All natural doesnt mean healthy:According to a food scientist that the HuffPo interviewed, this is one of the most misleading labels out there. Natural typically just means no artificial flavors or colors were added. The word by itself says nothing about the amount of sugar, sodium, or calories in a product.
• Fat-free or sugar-free isnt a free pass:When brands remove fat, they often add sugar, starches, or chemicals to keep the taste. When they remove sugar, they may add artificial sweeteners. So, keep in mind that youre not necessarily getting a healthier product, just a reformulated one.
• No high-fructose corn syrup is a distraction:This sounds like a product you might grab if youre trying to reduce your sugar intake. But in actuality, companies often swap in cane sugar, rice syrup, or other sweeteners that have close to the same effect on your body. The real number to care about is total sugar, not the type.
• Multigrain sounds healthy, but often isnt:It simply means more than one type of grain was used. Those grains can still be refined (stripped of nutrients). If you want actual benefits, look for 100% whole grain or check fiber content.
• High protein can hide a lot of junk:Protein is trendy, so brands slap it on everything. But many high protein snacks also come loaded with sugar and calories. A protein bar with 20g of sugar is still basically candy with a gym label.
• Healthy-looking images are doing the heavy lifting:Pictures of fruit, leaves, farms, or athletes are designed to trigger a this is good for me reaction. That apple on the box doesnt mean whats inside is anything like an apple.

What smart shoppers should actually do

• Flip the package over first, not last:Ignore the flashy words and pictures on the front of the package. Instead, go straight to the nutrition label and ingredients list, as thats where the truth hides.
• Check sugar and sodium immediately:These are the fastest ways to spot a fake healthy food. If sugar is high (especially near the top of ingredients), its a red flag.
• Look at ingredient order:Ingredients are listed by weight. If sugar (or a variation of it) is in the top threeingredients, that could be a problem.
• Compare similar products side by side:This is one of the easiest wins. Two healthy granola or protein bars can have wildly different nutrition labels.

If a product is working really hard to convince you its healthy it probably isnt. The foods that are actually good for you usually dont need flashy labels to prove it.

Dont let fear override common sense

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Tech support cost victims billions each year and often target the most vulnerable users.

• Scammers use fear and urgency to trick people into giving access to their devices or financial information.

• Knowing the warning signs can stop a scam before any damage is done.

As the internet became mainstream in the 1990s, scammers learned that fake tech support schemes were a powerful tool in their arsenal. In the following decades, tech support have evolved into one of the most pervasive forms of online fraud.

What began as crude pop-up warnings has turned into sophisticated operations involving call centers, remote access tools, and convincing impersonation tactics. These dont just cause financial loss they can lead to identity theft, compromised devices, and long-term security risks.

At their core, tech support exploit a simple idea: most people rely on technology but dont fully understand how it works. Scammers step into that gap, pretending to be trusted experts from well-known companies like Microsoft, Apple, or antivirus providers.

Why these are so dangerous

The danger of tech support goes beyond a one-time payment. Once a scammer gains your trust or worse, access to your device the consequences can multiply quickly.

First, theres financial loss. Victims are often pressured into paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars for fake repairs or unnecessary software.

Second, theres data exposure. If you allow remote access, scammers can view files, copy sensitive information, install malware, or capture passwords.

Third, theres an ongoing vulnerability. Some scammers install backdoors or convince victims to sign up for recurring support services, keeping the door open for future exploitation.

Finally, these often rely on psychological manipulation. Victims may feel embarrassed afterward, which can delay reporting and allow scammers to continue targeting others.

How tech support work

Most tech support follow a familiar pattern:

• A pop-up warning appears claiming your computer is infected or compromised.

• You receive an unsolicited call or email from someone claiming to be technical support.

• The scammer urges immediate action, often using alarming language.

• Youre asked to grant remote access or download software.

• Payment is demanded to fix the issue.

The entire process is designed to create panic and push you into acting without thinking. Fortunately, these schemes all reveal themselves if you know what to look for. Recognizing the warning signs is the best defense. Here are the most common red flags:

Red Flags to Watch For

1. Unsolicited contact: Legitimate tech companies do not call, email, or text you out of the blue to report problems with your device
2. Urgent or threatening language: Phrases like Your computer is infected, Your data is at risk, or Act immediately are meant to create panic.
3. Requests for remote access:No reputable company will ask for remote access unless you initiated support through official channels
4. Payment demands: Scammers often request payment via gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or unusual methods. These are nearly impossible to trace or reverse.
5. Suspicious pop-ups: Fake alerts may lock your screen or play loud warnings. Real system alerts dont include phone numbers to call.
6. Impersonation of well-known brands: Scammers frequently claim to represent companies like Microsoft or Apple but these companies dont operate this way.
7. Poor grammar or odd behavior: While are getting more polished, inconsistencies in communication can still be a clue.

How to Protect Yourself

Avoiding tech support comes down to a few simple habits:

• Dont engage with unsolicited messages or calls.

• Never give control of your device to someone you didnt contact.

• Verify support through official company websites.

• Use security software and keep your system updated.

• When in doubt, shut it down close the browser or restart your device.

If you think youve encountered a scam, disconnect from the internet immediately and run a trusted security scan. If youve already paid or shared information, contact your bank and report the incident as soon as possible.

Tech support succeed because they prey on fear and trust. The more convincing they become, the more important awareness is. By understanding how these work and recognizing their warning signs, you can avoid becoming a victim and help others do the same.

Regulators charge that users personal data was shared with an unrelated third party

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The FTC alleges OkCupid shared users personal data including photos and location with an unrelated third party without consent.

• A proposed settlement would bar OkCupid and Match Group Americas from misrepresenting their privacy practices.

• The case stems from claims that millions of users data were exposed, despite promises it would not be shared without notice or opt-out.

Federal regulators have taken steps to end what they say is the mishandling of personal information. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken enforcement action against the dating app OkCupid and its service provider, Match Group Americas. The companies are accused of misleading users about how their personal data was handled.

In a federal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, the FTC alleges that OkCupid operated by Humor Rainbow, Inc. shared sensitive user information with a third party that had no formal business relationship with the company. The data reportedly included nearly three million user photos, along with location and other personal details.

According to the FTC, the disclosures violated OkCupids own privacy policy, which assured users that their information would only be shared under specific conditions, such as with service providers or after giving users notice and an opportunity to opt out.

The FTC enforces the privacy promises that companies make, said Christopher Mufarrige, director of the agencys Bureau of Consumer Protection. We will investigate, and where appropriate, take action against companies that promise to safeguard your data but fail to follow through even if that means we have to enforce our Civil Investigative Demands in court.

The complaint

The complaint alleges the data sharing occurred at the request of a third party, of which OkCupids founders were financial investors. Despite lacking a formal partnership, the FTC says the third party was granted access to large datasets without contractual limits on how the information could be used.

Regulators also claim that OkCupid and Match Group took steps to conceal the arrangement. When reports surfaced about the data transfer, the company allegedly denied involvement both publicly and to users, while also attempting to obstruct the FTCs investigation.

Under the proposed settlement, OkCupid and Match Group Americas would be permanently prohibited from misrepresenting how they collect, use, or share personal data. The order would also restrict misleading claims about privacy controls and user choices related to data handling.

The FTC voted 2-0 to authorize the complaint and proposed order. If approved by a federal judge, the settlement would carry the force of law.

The agency emphasized that its complaint reflects a reason to believe the companies violated the law and that enforcement action is in the public interest.