AI technology has not only transformed businesses but has also provided scammers with new methods to deceive consumers. Despite a decrease in scam robocalls, Americans still lost a record $10 billion to fraud in 2020, as scammers have become more targeted and effective. Voice cloning, made possible by AI, allows scammers to impersonate celebrities, elected officials, and even close friends, leading to cases of extortion. Short voicemail greetings can even be used against individuals, such as when scammers use a bank loan officer's voice to deceive others. Phone scams can range from annoying to terrifying, as scammers use scare tactics to manipulate victims into sending money. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has taken steps to combat AI-generated robocalls by clarifying that they are illegal under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

The FCC can impose fines on robocallers and block calls from carriers that facilitate illegal robocalls. However, more action is needed to hold telephone providers accountable, as many continue to transmit fraudulent calls. Lawmakers are also working on legislation to regulate AI robocalls and increase penalties for impersonation scams. In terms of personal protection, individuals can add their numbers to the National Do Not Call Registry and use tools on their cell phones to filter out spam calls. Additionally, apps like YouMail and Robokiller can help block scam calls, and YouMail offers a voicemail feature to prevent voice cloning.