With the increasing sophistication of AI-powered deepfake scams, cybersecurity experts are emphasizing the importance for families to develop secret codewords. These codewords serve as a safeguard, helping to expose fraudsters and prevent costly scams.
Deepfake technology now has the capability to convincingly mimic a person’s voice, which criminals can exploit to deceive victims into believing their loved ones are in peril. However, experts point out that one thing scammers cannot replicate is a private codeword known only within a family.
An illustrative case involves Elizabeth Benz, a mother from Buffalo, New York. In September 2025, she received a distressing call that sounded remarkably like her 16-year-old son, John. The caller appeared to be crying and claimed that a friend had died.
Elizabeth recounted that it was the most fear she had ever experienced. Soon after, an unfamiliar voice took over the call, alleging they had killed her son’s friend and threatening to harm John unless she delivered $7,500 to a Walmart parking lot.
This incident underscores the growing threat posed by AI-generated voice cloning and deepfake technology. To safeguard against such scams, security specialists recommend establishing a unique secret codeword or phrase that can confirm a person’s identity during emergencies.
Additionally, they advise staying calm, reaching out to the supposed victim via another trusted phone number, and refraining from sending money before independently verifying the situation. Cybersecurity professionals caution that while scammers might be able to imitate someone’s voice, they cannot predict a private family codeword, making it an effective tool for fraud prevention.
