Scammers using eerily realistic artificial intelligence voice clones are now hitting Berwyn, according to local police, who say callers are pretending to be relatives or trusted officials and then pressing victims to fork over cash or personal details. The voices can sound uncannily familiar, complete with urgent pleas for help and strict instructions to keep quiet, which is why officers say the smartest move is to stay calm, hang up, and double check who is really calling.
Community Alert And Resources
Per the Berwyn Police Department, the city is hosting a Senior Public Safety Workshop on Feb. 23 that will focus on scam awareness and prevention. Residents are urged to report suspicious calls to 9-1-1 for emergencies or the department’s non-emergency line at (708) 795-5600. The outreach is geared particularly toward older adults, who are frequently targeted by impersonation schemes that lean on panic, guilt, and family ties to get results.
Police: Hang Up And Call Back
According to FOX 32 Chicago, Berwyn officers warned that scammers may phone in using voices that sound convincingly real, then pressure people to send money or share sensitive information. Police say to watch for classic red flags such as demands for immediate action, orders to keep the conversation secret, and requests for strange payment methods like gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
Regional Trend: Reports On The Rise
The issue is not confined to Berwyn. A local roundup on Better Business Bureau findings reported that scam complaints in Chicago and Northern Illinois rose sharply in 2025, with reports described as "nearly doubled" last year. Experts say that spike reflects how AI tools and deepfakes are supercharging old-school fraud. The surge has pushed community groups and law enforcement across the region to ramp up outreach and public education so residents are not caught off guard.
Why Cloned Voices Are So Convincing
Federal consumer watchdogs have warned that modern voice-cloning tools can be trained on short audio clips, such as snippets pulled from social media or even voicemail greetings, then used to generate surprisingly convincing cries for help. Experts told NPR that scammers often push for irreversible payment methods, which is why watchdogs stress that the safest move is to hang up and verify the caller independently using a trusted number.
How To Protect Yourself
If a call feels even slightly off, authorities say to hang up, then call your relative or the official back using a number you already know or can look up yourself. Families may also want to set up a private codeword for emergencies, advice the Illinois Attorney General has urged as these scams spread.
Per the Berwyn Police Department, residents should never send money based solely on a phone call, no matter how real the voice sounds, and should report suspected scams to local police, the Better Business Bureau, and the Federal Trade Commission. Those reports help investigators spot patterns and get warnings out before the next fake relative comes calling.
