The Voice Was Familiar. But, the Call Was a Scam: Staying Ahead of AI Fraud

If you got a call that sounded exactly like your child or grandchild in distress, would you know it was a fake?

It’s a heavy question, but it’s one we addressed head-on during our latest Nuvision Insights webinar, Protect Yourself From Fraud. Fraud isn't just growing—it’s evolving. We went beyond discussing the latest scams (they change too fast for that); instead, Nuvision’s Amy Marsalek and Lori Marschalk walked attendees through the "whys" and "hows" behind these tactics.

During the webinar, we learned  how to protect ourselves and our families.

The Fraudster’s Real Weapon: Pressure

The most important takeaway from Amy was a shift in perspective. Fraudsters don't target people because they aren't "smart" enough; they target emotions.

Whether it’s an AI-generated voice of a loved one, a spoofed email from your boss, or a fake "frozen account" text, the goal is always the same: Create enough urgency and secrecy to override your good judgment.

The Red Flag Rule: If a situation falls apart the moment you try to call a friend or consult your credit union, it’s a scam. If they tell you "don't tell anyone" or "you only have 10 minutes," that is your signal – your sign -- to hang up.

When a Familiar Voice Isn't Proof

The section on AI voice cloning was eye-opening. Scammers only need a few seconds of audio from a social media video or a voicemail greeting to mimic a loved one’s voice.

If you get a high-stress call from a "family member," the best thing you can do is slow down. Tell them the connection is bad, hang up, and call them back on the trusted number you have saved in your contacts. Breaking that emotional cycle is the fastest way to beat the fraud.

Red Flags in Your Wallet

We also touched on the "how" of the payment. Legitimate organizations—including Nuvision—will never ask you to "protect" your money by moving it to:

• Gift cards or Cryptocurrency
• Urgent Zelle transfers
• A "safe account" via wire transfer
• Physical cash handoffs

If someone tells you to move your money to keep it safe from a hack, that is the scam.

Protection Behind the Scenes

Lori Marschalk shared a look at what Nuvision is doing on the backend to stay ahead. From fighting "credential stuffing" to monitoring for skimming devices, our team and technology are constantly evolving to protect you and your money.

One of the easiest ways you can help us protect you is by enrolling in real-time alerts. In the past, alerts were often delayed; today, they happen at the speed of the transaction. If a new device logs in or a profile change is made, you’ll know instantly.

There Is No Shame in Being Targeted

Finally, Amy made a vital point: there is no shame in being targeted. Scammers are professional manipulators. If you suspect something is wrong—even if you haven't lost money—please report it. Your report helps us track patterns and protect the rest of the community.

Missed the Live Session?

The full webinar goes much deeper into specific examples and includes a live Q&A that answered many of our members most pressing questions.

If you couldn’t join us, or want to share the webinar with family, you can watch the complete replay here:  Nuvision Insights February 2026 Replay