I can't tell if it's real or made with AI. What do I do?

First, breathe. AI can imitate a face or a voice today, but it can’t imitate a simple check. Almost any deepfake falls apart if you give yourself a few minutes and confirm through another, official channel. Rushing you is their only real weapon.

First steps, right now

Don't react in the heat of the moment. Don't send money, don't give out details and don't share it before checking. That rush is exactly what the people behind this want.
Check the source on an official, separate channel: if it's "your bank/an institution", go to their official website yourself; if it's a relative, call them on the number you already know.
Look for the original: do a search by image or by the exact phrase in the message and see if it appears on reputable news sources.
For voice messages or a "relative in danger": agree on a family password question that only you know, and use it on the phone when something seems urgent.
If it's being used to defraud or blackmail you, report the content on the platform and to the authorities.

What NOT to do

Don't send money or details based on a clip, voice message or video, no matter how convincing it seems.
Don't share it until you've checked — you could end up spreading a fake yourself.
Don't let yourself be rushed by "act now, it's urgent".

How to spot it next time

Public figures "recommending" investments: clips of Ion Țiriac (a famous Romanian businessman), Mugur Isărescu / BNR (Romania's central bank governor) or politicians praising a platform. They are deepfakes — see also the playbook about investments.
In video: lips out of sync with the voice, rare blinking, edges or background that "shimmer", odd hands/ears/teeth.
In voice: flat intonation, unnatural pauses, no breathing sounds, an "emergency" demanding money right away.
A new account, few followers, comments turned off, a link that quickly takes you off the platform.

This guide is meant to help you act fast. It does not replace official instructions from your bank, the police or the authorities. When in doubt, call the numbers above.