Artificial intelligence–powered scam calls reached record levels on UK phone networks last year, and experts are warning the threat could intensify further in 2026 following renewed government investment in AI technologies.

UK mobile operators are already under sustained pressure. Telecoms giant O2 has revealed it is blocking around 50 million suspicious calls every month using its in-network defence systems, highlighting the scale of the problem facing consumers.

According to Naveed Janmohamed, CEO and Founder of the AI research assistant Anara, the rapid evolution of voice-cloning technology means learning to recognise artificial voices could prevent significant financial losses.

“The technology behind these scams has developed very quickly,” Janmohamed explained. “Today’s AI needs just seconds of your voice to create convincing clones, letting criminals pose as your bank or tax office without setting off alarm bells.”

Money-related calls raise red flags

Janmohamed warned that unsolicited calls involving finances should always be treated with suspicion.

“These AI fraudsters typically claim they’ve spotted suspicious transactions on your accounts or that you’re entitled to a refund, but it’s all a ploy to steal your personal information.”

Falling costs have made advanced voice-cloning tools accessible to a far wider range of criminal groups. As a result, scams that once required specialist resources can now be deployed at scale, significantly increasing the risk to the public.

How to spot an AI-generated voice

Janmohamed says there are several tell-tale signs that a caller may not be human.

“You can spot fake callers if you listen carefully,” he said.

He advises people to watch out for:

1. Strange pauses before the caller answers questions

2. Background noise that suddenly appears or disappears

3. Callers who struggle to respond naturally when faced with unexpected questions

Millions targeted across the UK

The scale of the issue is reflected in figures from National Trading Standards, which show 73% of UK adults have been targeted by phone-based scams. Latest estimates suggest 19 million people in Britain have lost money to fraudulent calls.

“When something sounds off about a call discussing your money or asking for personal details it almost certainly is – hang up immediately,” Janmohamed warned.

He also highlighted the use of pressure tactics as a major indicator of fraud.

“Watch out for callers rushing you to make decisions on the spot or who avoid answering straight questions when you try to check who they really are,” Janmohamed continued. “Those behaviours almost always mean you’re dealing with cons and not legitimate staff.”

Under-reporting helps scammers thrive

Despite mobile networks blocking millions of suspicious calls every day, data shows that only 32% of scam losses are ever reported to authorities.

Many victims choose to stay silent, often due to embarrassment or concerns that their case will not be taken seriously. Experts warn this reluctance allows scammers to continue operating unchecked.

Anyone targeted is urged to report incidents to Action Fraud, either via its website at any time or by calling 0300 123 2040.

“Prevention remains the best protection against these criminals,” Janmohamed stressed. “Never give personal details to someone who called you first. If you need to check if something’s genuine, put the phone down and call the company back using the official number from their website or your bank card. Taking extra precautions when something feels wrong can save you from becoming another victim.”

As AI tools continue to advance and become more widely available, experts say consumer awareness will be just as important as technical defences in keeping UK phone users safe in 2026 and beyond.