Deepfakes Explained for Everyday People
Deepfakes are fake videos or voices that look real. Knowing they exist is half the defense.
Step by step
- Know they exist.
- Check the source.
- Look for odd details.
- Verify with a call.
- Use a family code word.
What to expect
Expect an explanation of fake audio, video and images, with warning signs like odd blinking, mismatched lighting and unnatural speech.
Mistakes to avoid
Do not trust a voice or video alone when money is requested. Avoid sharing unverified clips.
A good next step
Agree on a family code word and verify requests by calling back.
A worked example
A grandmother gets a call in her grandson's voice asking for money. She remembers the family code word, asks for it, and the caller hangs up.
A prompt you can copy
Type this into ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini
Explain what a deepfake is and give me five ways to verify a suspicious video or voice message.
Good to know. If it demands money fast, treat it as suspicious.
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Reserve a free seatCommon questions
Can I spot them?
Not always.
Who makes them?
Anyone with tools.