FAQ - masksmasher.com
The questions readers ask most about deepfakes, AI scams, and digital deception in 2026 - answered without hype.
How do I tell if a video is a deepfake?
In 2026, you mostly cannot tell from the video itself. The reliable signals are contextual: who shared it, when, and through what platform. Detection tools are useful as a second layer but unreliable as a first one.
Are voice clones really good enough to fool me?
Yes. Voice clones in 2026 are convincing enough to fool relatives in a 30-second call. The defence is procedural: agree on a verbal passphrase with family, and never act on a financial request from a phone call alone.
Is generative AI the biggest cyber risk in 2026?
It is the biggest new risk. The biggest absolute risk remains old-fashioned credential phishing - which is now far more effective when paired with AI personalisation.
What is a clone shop?
A small operator that sells AI face- or voice-clones as a service. We did a full investigation in Investigation #1 and #2.
Should companies invest in deepfake detection tools?
As one layer, yes. As the only layer, no. The tools have meaningful false-positive rates and a defender who treats them as gospel will eventually fail badly.
How do I protect my elderly relatives from AI scams?
Three concrete steps: a family passphrase, a hard rule to never wire money based on a phone call alone, and a single trusted family contact who can verify any unusual request.
Where can I report deepfakes?
Platform-specific: report on the platform where you found it. For criminal cases in the US, the FBI IC3. In the EU, your country's CERT. We track useful regional contacts in our about page.