AI scam terms, explained plainly
Definitions, examples, and practical protection guidance for the scams and verification habits families, friends, and teams need to recognize.
Voice clone scam
AI voice scam · cloned voice scam
A voice clone scam uses AI-generated speech that imitates someone you trust to pressure you into sending money, sharing information, or taking another urgent action.
Read definitionAI voice cloning
voice cloning · synthetic speech
AI voice cloning is technology that generates speech resembling a real person from a recording of that person’s voice.
Read definitionGrandparent scam
grandma scam · grandchild emergency scam
A grandparent scam impersonates a grandchild or another relative who supposedly needs immediate help, often demanding secrecy and an irreversible payment.
Read definitionVirtual kidnapping scam
fake kidnapping scam · virtual ransom scam
A virtual kidnapping scam falsely claims that a loved one has been kidnapped and demands a fast ransom while preventing the target from checking whether the person is safe.
Read definitionFamily codeword
safe word · family password
A family codeword is a private word or set of words agreed in advance to verify a loved one during a suspicious call or message.
Read definitionVerification protocol / Three Words Check
Three Words Check · out-of-band verification
The Three Words Check is a verification protocol that pauses an urgent request, asks for private codewords, compares them independently, and escalates or reports when the check fails.
Read definitionDeepfake scam
AI-generated impersonation scam · synthetic media scam
A deepfake scam uses AI-generated or altered audio, video, images, or text to impersonate a trusted person and make a fraudulent request seem real.
Read definitionImpersonation scam
identity impersonation fraud · trusted-contact scam
An impersonation scam pretends to be a person or organization you trust in order to obtain money, credentials, codes, or control over an account.
Read definitionCEO fraud / executive voice fraud
business email compromise · executive impersonation
CEO fraud is an impersonation scam in which criminals pose as an executive or senior colleague to authorize an urgent payment, credential change, or confidential disclosure.
Read definitionSmishing
SMS phishing · text-message phishing
Smishing is phishing delivered by text message, usually using a fake delivery notice, account alert, family emergency, or payment request to steal information or money.
Read definitionCite this page
AI Scam Glossary — Trust Onion, September 17, 2026. https://trustonion.io/glossary