Scammers have always looked for ways to trick people into handing over money or personal information. Now, artificial intelligence is giving them another powerful tool.
With AI, scammers can create convincing messages, imitate voices, generate realistic images, and make it appear as though a loved one is asking for help. For older adults, these scams can be especially frightening when the message involves an emergency, a family member, or a financial problem. The good news is that a few simple habits can make these schemes much harder to fall for. If you have an aging parent, here are six practical ways to help protect them from AI-powered scams.
Create a Family “Emergency Word”
One of the simplest ways to fight voice-cloning scams is to establish a private family word or phrase to verify an emergency. For example, if your parent receives a phone call claiming that you have been in an accident and urgently need money, they shouldn’t rely on the caller’s voice alone. Instead, they can ask for the family’s agreed-upon word or phrase. Keep the word something that would be difficult for a stranger to guess. It should also be something that isn’t posted publicly on social media. The goal isn’t to create a complicated security system. It’s to give your parent one extra step to take before reacting to an alarming request.
Teach Them to Slow Down When a Message Feels Urgent
Many scams work because they create panic. A fake message might say that a grandchild has been arrested, a bank account is about to be closed, a computer has been hacked, or an important payment must be made immediately. AI can make these messages sound more convincing, but the underlying tactic is often the same: don’t give the victim enough time to think. Make it a family rule that urgent requests involving money or sensitive information should never be handled immediately. Tell your parent to hang up, close the message, and take a few minutes to think. If necessary, they can contact the person involved using a phone number they already have rather than replying to the suspicious message. A few minutes of hesitation can prevent a very expensive mistake.
Help Them Verify Calls From “Family Members”
A familiar voice isn’t necessarily proof that the person on the other end is really who they claim to be. If your parent receives a strange call from someone claiming to be you, a grandchild, or another relative, encourage them to independently verify the situation. They can call that family member directly at their usual number or contact another relative who can confirm whether the story is legitimate. They should be particularly cautious if the caller asks for gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, banking information, passwords, or money to be sent through an unfamiliar payment service. If the caller insists that your parent keep the situation secret, that’s another major warning sign.
Make It Harder for Scammers to Gather Personal Information
AI doesn’t have to invent every detail from scratch. Scammers can use information people have already shared online to make their stories sound more believable. Review what your parent publicly shares on social media. Details such as birthdays, family relationships, travel plans, pets, employers, schools, and addresses can provide scammers with material for personalized schemes. Consider helping them adjust privacy settings and remove information they don’t need to make public. It’s also worth reminding them that scammers don’t need a complete profile to make a convincing message. Sometimes, a few small details are enough to make a fraudulent request seem legitimate.
Set Up Financial Safeguards Before There’s a Problem
Technology can help protect money as well as create new risks. Depending on the financial institution and your parents’ circumstances, consider setting up transaction alerts, account notifications, spending limits, and other available security features. Alerts can make it easier to quickly notice unusual activity. Parents may also want to use strong, unique passwords and multifactor authentication for financial accounts and email. Keeping devices and important apps updated can provide another layer of protection. For families who are comfortable discussing finances openly, having a trusted person who knows how to reach the bank in an emergency can also be useful. The goal isn’t to take away your parents’ financial independence. It’s to create safeguards that can make a costly mistake easier to catch.
Have Regular Conversations About New Scams
Scams change constantly. A warning that was useful a few years ago may not cover the tactics scammers are using today. Instead of having one serious conversation and never bringing up the subject again, make scam awareness an ongoing family discussion. If you hear about a new AI scam, mention it to your parent. If they receive a suspicious text or phone call, encourage them to show it to you without embarrassment. Most importantly, avoid making them feel foolish if they almost fall for something. Shame can make people less likely to ask for help the next time.
Let them know that sophisticated scams can fool people of all ages. Asking for a second opinion is a smart safety habit-not something to be embarrassed about.
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