In February, 2026, Merseyside Police and Knowsley Council issued a warning to people in Kirkby, Merseyside, about criminals using artificial intelligence to clone voices for phone scams. This alert was released as part of Safer Internet Day to help Neighbourhood Watch volunteers protect vulnerable neighbours from high-tech fraud.
According to evidence from National Trading Standards, scammers are using seemingly harmless lifestyle survey phone calls to record a person’s voice. Criminals then use artificial intelligence to clone these recordings to simulate verbal consent, which allows them to set up unauthorised direct debits and bypass bank security protocols.
Recent data shows that adults in the United Kingdom now receive an average of seven scam calls or texts every month. To help residents stay safe, the police have introduced a new six-step safety guide that encourages people to slow down during calls, use strong passwords, and enable extra security steps on their accounts. Local volunteers are being asked to share these tips and remind neighbours to check their bank statements regularly for any unexpected payments.
If you believe you have been targeted by a scam, you should contact the national reporting centre, which has been renamed from Action Fraud to Report Fraud. You can reach the service by calling 0300 123 2040 to report the incident and help protect others in the community.
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