Government and public statistics
Scammers Use Fake Emergencies to Steal Your Money
Federal Trade Commission, FTC Consumer Advice, n.d.
Read the originalRead on October 17, 2026
- What it is
- The US Federal Trade Commission's consumer advice on family emergency scams, in which a caller claims a relative is in trouble and asks for money at once. It sets out how to check the caller's identity before you send anything.
- How much weight it carries
- Official US consumer-protection guidance, updated by the agency. It is general advice and does not mention voice cloning, although its verification steps apply to a cloned voice. The live page is blocked to some automated readers, so the archived copy is listed as an alternative.
Facts taken from this source
- The FTC advises that, when a caller claiming to be a family member demands urgent money, you should resist the pressure to react and send money immediately.
“Resist the pressure to react and send money immediately.” (Advice on how to verify the person's identity)
- The FTC advises that, to check a call about a family emergency, you use a phone number you know is right to call or message the family member or friend who supposedly contacted you.
“Use a phone number you know is right to call or message the family member or friend who (supposedly) contacted you.” (Advice on how to verify the person's identity)