How do I report an AI deepfake or impersonation scam?
Report to the FTC, the FBI IC3, and the platform hosting the content. For voice or video cloning of a real person, also notify that person and their legal representatives.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
AI-powered scams using voice cloning, deepfake videos, and synthetic text are a rapidly growing category. They are used to impersonate family members in 'grandparent scams,' to fake celebrity endorsements in investment ads, and to create convincing phishing communications. The reporting channels are the same as for other online fraud, but the evidence you preserve should include the specific AI-generated content.
In the US, report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov. Describe explicitly that the scam used AI-generated voice, video, or text. The FTC and FCC have both indicated that using AI to clone someone's voice for deceptive purposes violates existing laws. The FCC's TRACED Act has been used to pursue AI-generated robocall campaigns.
For deepfake videos or images hosted on social platforms, use the platform's in-app reporting tool. Many platforms have specific categories for synthetic or manipulated media. Also report to the platform's trust and safety team by email, describing the specific AI abuse.
If a real individual's likeness was used without consent, notify them directly if possible. Public figures often have legal teams who can pursue defamation or right-of-publicity claims against the creators. Preserve the content — download screenshots, save URLs, and record audio before reporting as the platform may remove it.
Common red flags
- A video of a celebrity appeared to be endorsing an investment or health product
- A phone call using a familiar voice asked for money urgently in an unusual way
- A video call showed a person in an unusual environment with slightly unnatural movement
- An audio clip of a public figure made claims inconsistent with their public positions
- A chatbot conversation moved unusually fast toward a financial solicitation
- Images of a real person appeared in advertising they publicly denied endorsing
What to do now
- Report to the FTC and FBI IC3, noting that AI-generated content was used
- Report the content to the hosting platform via in-app tools
- Screenshot and preserve the content before it is removed
- Notify the real person being impersonated if identifiable
- Report to the FCC (US) for AI-generated robocalls
- See /scams/ai-era-scams for emerging AI fraud patterns
Frequently asked questions
Is creating a deepfake of a real person illegal?
Creating deepfakes for fraud, defamation, or non-consensual intimate imagery is illegal in many jurisdictions and the law is expanding rapidly. Using a deepfake to obtain money is fraud. Using someone's likeness commercially without consent may also violate right-of-publicity laws.
How do I know if a video or audio is AI-generated?
Look for unnatural blinking, inconsistent lighting, audio that does not quite sync with lip movements, and unusual background elements. Specialist deepfake detection tools exist, but AI quality is improving rapidly. When in doubt, verify directly with the person before taking any financial action.