Criminals are targeting pensioners by cloning their voices with artificial intelligence in a 'chilling new wave' of phone scams hitting Britain.
National Trading Standards (NTS) has warned that pensioners are being tricked into completing 'lifestyle surveys' in what appears to be a harmless phone call.
But fraudsters are stealing detailed personal, health and financial information over the phone, which they use to develop AI-generated voice clones.
These can be used to simulate consent for direct debits, deceiving even legitimate businesses and financial providers, leaving victims' bank accounts empty.
Fraudsters then pass on or sell pensioners' personal data to other criminal gangs who can easily circumvent banks and set up payments without victims' knowledge.
NTS has warned that victims often do not realise payments are being taken, saying the new phone scamming technique is 'deeply disturbing' but 'sophisticated'.
Louise Baxter MBE, head of the National Trading Standards scams team, said: 'What we're seeing is a deeply disturbing combination of old and new: traditional phone scams supported by disturbing new techniques.
'Criminals are using AI not just to deceive victims, but to trick legitimate systems into processing fraudulent payments.
'This is no longer just a nuisance - it's a coordinated, sophisticated operation targeting some of the most situationally vulnerable consumers in society.
'We urge everyone to speak to friends and relatives about scam calls, check bank statements regularly and report anything suspicious.'
John Herriman, chief executive at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), said of the new AI voice cloning scam: 'This alarming new twist in phone-based fraud shows just how quickly criminals are exploiting emerging technologies to prey on the public.
'Voice cloning takes scam calls to a sinister new level, making it even harder for legitimate businesses and consumers to distinguish real interactions from fraudulent ones.
'Trading Standards teams across the UK are working tirelessly to disrupt these operations, but we need the public to stay alert, talk to loved ones about the risks, and report anything suspicious.
'Protecting consumers, especially those most vulnerable, requires all of us to stay informed and work together to tackle these modern day and emerging examples of fraud.'
The AI voice cloning scam comes amid the release of new NTS data, which has revealed that, on average, UK adults receive seven scam calls or texts per month.
Meanwhile 21 per cent of adults receive these most days, with 9 per cent receiving them every day.
In the past six months, NTS says it has blocked nearly 21 million scam phone calls and shut down 2,000 numbers.
Lisa Webb, a consumer law expert at Which?, said: 'It's horrifying that criminals are using AI to clone voices in order to set up fraudulent direct debits.
'You shouldn't have to worry about your own voice being used against you in this way but sadly we've reached a stage where every phone call must be treated with suspicion.
'If you get any calls out of the blue, don't be afraid to hang up - genuine callers won't mind.'
Ms Webb urged anyone who sees direct debits or transactions they don't recognise to contact their bank immediately using the number on the back of their card and to report any scams to police.
She also said people can register with a telephone preference service to opt out of unsolicited marketing calls.
HOW TO TELL IF IT'S A SCAM
Fraudsters could try to scam you with phone calls, emails, text messages and social media - and will often pretend to be an organisation or person you trust.
According to the National Cyber Security Centre, there are five tell-tale signs you're being tricked into handing over your private information to crooks:
- Authority - Scammers will pretend to be government officials or your bank to trick you into giving them what they want.
- Urgency - Have you been told you have a limited time to respond? Did they threaten you with fines or other negative consequences? If so, this could be a scam.
- Emotion - If the phone call or message makes you panic, fearful or hopeful, this could be criminals trying to tease you into finding out more.
- Scarcity - Are you being offered something in short supply, such as tickets to a major music or sporting event? Scammers could be tricking you into having FOMO (fear of missing out).
- Current events - Criminals can exploit current news stories or big events at specific times of the year, such as tax reporting, to make their scam more relevant.