October is the season for spookiness, but none of Halloween’s haunts can hold a candle to the frightening reality of the latest senior scams. Older adults have long been the target of scammers, who prey on their perceived vulnerability and loneliness. Unfortunately, technology is making scams against the elderly more difficult than ever to uncover, even for the savviest individual.
The grandparent scam is nothing new. An older adult would receive a call from a person claiming to be a family member demanding urgent financial help for an emergency they were facing. The voice, manner of speaking, and telephone number could often give away the caller’s malintent.
Enter AI. Scammers can now utilize technology to clone a person’s voice, using just a few seconds of audio pulled from social media such as TikTok or YouTube. The cloning software allows the individual to type whatever text they want the voice to say, and the outcome is a startlingly authentic replica of the person’s actual voice.
To further compound the difficulty with detecting the scam, calls can now appear to originate from any number the scammer selects.
So a grandparent answers the phone, recognizes the phone number as that of his granddaughter, and hears her frantic voice begging for money to help her in a crisis. How should such a scenario be handled?
Following these steps can help protect the older adults you love from AI scams:
If you or someone you love happens to be targeted by any kind of scam, contact law enforcement as well as the Federal Trade Commission.
Home care is a great way to add an extra level of safety and protection for older adults. Our caregivers offer the companionship needed to safeguard against isolation and loneliness—key elements scammers are wanting to identify in their targets.
Call us at 618-667-8400 or contact us online for more information regarding how our in-home care in Edwardsville, Alton, Belleville, and the surrounding areas can help someone you love remain secure and safe while living life to the fullest.
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