The Rise of AI Scams: How to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones

Technology has made our lives easier, but it has also given scammers new tools to deceive people—especially seniors. With the rise of AI-generated voice scams, deepfake videos, and highly personalized phishing attacks, fraudsters are getting more sophisticated. So how can you stay ahead?

How Scammers Are Using AI to Trick Seniors

1. AI-Generated Voice Scams (“Grandparent Scam”)

Scammers can now clone voices using just a few seconds of audio from social media or phone calls. They use this technology to impersonate family members in distress, often pretending to be a grandchild who needs urgent financial help.

🔹 How to protect yourself:

• Verify the call by hanging up and calling the person back on a trusted number.

• Ask the caller a personal question only they would know.

• Never send money or gift cards without confirming the request through another method.

2. Deepfake Videos and Fake Facetime Calls

Imagine getting a video call from what looks like your real relative, asking for money. AI-powered deepfake technology is making this possible, tricking people into believing they are talking to someone they trust.

🔹 How to protect yourself:

• Be cautious of unexpected requests for money, even if they look real.

• Use a code word system with family members for emergencies.

• If you suspect a deepfake, look for unnatural eye movements or audio mismatches.

3. Personalized Phishing Scams

AI tools allow scammers to generate hyper-personalized scam emails and text messages. Instead of generic messages, they now include your name, past purchase details, and even references to your interests to trick you into clicking malicious links.

🔹 How to protect yourself:

• Avoid clicking on links from unknown senders.

• Look for spelling mistakes or urgent language, which are red flags.

• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on important accounts to prevent unauthorized access.

How SeniorShield is Helping Seniors Stay Safe

At SeniorShield, we are committed to staying ahead of scammers by providing:

✅ Daily scam alerts to keep you informed about new fraud tactics.

✅ Real-time scam detection for text messages, emails, and phone calls.

✅ Education and training tools to help you and your loved ones recognize threats before they happen.

💡 Knowledge is your best defense! Stay informed, stay skeptical, and always verify before taking action.

Have You Encountered a Scam? Let Us Know!

If you or a loved one has recently come across a scam, share your story with us. Your experience could help others avoid becoming victims.

🔔 Sign up for SeniorShield alerts today and stay one step ahead of scammers.