Verizon Shares Tips to Avoid Phone Scams

The company urges customers to secure accounts as scammers use AI voice-cloning technology to target mobile users.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Cybersecurity

Bold vector editorial illustration showing a clean linear sound wave transforming into jagged, broken geometric segments, representing digital voice-cloning threats. — Verizon issued a consumer alert this month warning users about the rise of sophisticated AI voice-cloning scams targeting mobile account security. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Verizon is raising consumer awareness regarding sophisticated phone scams that utilize social media videos to clone voices. These tactics often impersonate family members to create a sense of urgency and pressure victims into making impulsive decisions.

Why it matters

Scammers frequently exploit fear and urgency to manipulate individuals, making it vital for mobile users to recognize signs of fraud. Safeguarding personal information remains critical during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

Verizon now requires enhanced authentication before issuing a number transfer PIN, which is mandatory for porting a number to a new carrier. Customers can further protect their accounts by enabling the free Number Lock feature.

The players

Verizon

Verizon is a multinational telecommunications conglomerate that provides mobile, internet, and television services to millions of customers across the United States.

The details

Criminals are increasingly using voice-cloning technology to mimic loved ones and deceive account owners. To prevent unauthorized carrier changes, users should inspect URL links for subtle misspellings that indicate fraudulent websites.

October is recognized as National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

The Tech Race

This guidance reflects the ongoing arms race between telecom security protocols and AI-driven social engineering. These protections serve as a direct response to the evolution of voice-cloning, replacing legacy verification systems that are no longer sufficient against modern cyber threats.

Enabling the Number Lock feature prevents unauthorized account changes and provides a simple layer of defense against port-out scams. Users should remain cautious of urgent requests from unknown or unexpected callers and verify all web links before entering credentials.

The takeaway

Always pause to verify the identity of anyone pressuring you for financial or account information over the phone. Implementing security features like Number Lock is a proactive step every mobile user should take to prevent identity theft.