FaceTime Scams: Don't Let a Familiar Face Fool You

Imagine receiving a FaceTime call from someone you recognize. Their name and phone number look familiar, and you can see their face on the screen. They tell you there's an emergency and need you to send money right away.

Would you trust the call?

Scammers are counting on it.

Video calls can make impersonation scams feel much more believable. Scammers may pretend to be someone you know or a trusted organization, and technology—including AI-generated video and voice—can make it difficult to tell what's real.

How FaceTime scams work

A scammer may contact you through FaceTime or another video-calling platform and pretend to be someone you trust.

They might claim:

• A family member is in trouble and needs money immediately.
• There's a problem with your credit union or bank account that needs to be fixed.
• You've been the victim of fraud and need to move your money to "protect" it.
• They're a government official or law enforcement officer.
• They need you to share a verification code, account information or other personal details.

The story can change, but the goal is often the same: get you to act before you have time to think or verify what's happening.

Don't let a familiar face create a false sense of security

One of the most important things to remember is that a video call doesn't automatically prove someone's identity.

Scammers can spoof phone numbers and use publicly available images, AI-generated video and voice cloning to make an impersonation more convincing, so it's important to verify unexpected requests through another trusted channel.

Protect yourself with these four steps

1. Stop.

If someone unexpectedly contacts you and says you need to act immediately, this is a red flag. Scammers often create fear or urgency so you don't have time to think.

2. Don't share sensitive information.

Never provide passwords, account numbers, social security numbers, security codes or other sensitive information simply because someone appears familiar on a video call.

3. Verify.

End the call and contact the person or organization using a phone number or other contact information you already know is legitimate.

If someone claims to be from your financial institution, contact your financial institution directly using the number on their official website or a monthly statement.

4. Don't move your money because someone tells you to.

A common impersonation tactic is telling you that your money is in danger and that you need to transfer it to a “safe” or “secure” account. Don't do it. Scammers may impersonate your financial institution or another trusted organization to convince you to move your money to “protect” it. Your financial institution will never ask you to transfer money to a different account to keep it safe.

Remember: Seeing isn't always believing

Technology has made it easier for scammers to make an impersonation look and sound convincing. That's why your best defense isn't trying to become an expert at spotting AI—it's taking a moment to verify before you trust, share or send.

When something doesn't feel right, slow down.

Stop. Verify. Protect yourself.

For more information about protecting yourself from scams and identity theft, visit the Federal Trade Commission's consumer resources at FTC.gov.