AI Scam Protection
New scams. Same defenses.
Voice cloning scams
- Scammers can clone voice from 3 seconds of audio.
- "Grandma, I'm in jail, send bail money!" — sounds EXACTLY like grandkid.
- From social media voice posts, voicemails.
- Defense: family password — agreed-on word/phrase only family knows.
- Always call back on KNOWN number.
- Never wire/gift card under emotional pressure.
Deepfake video scams
- Fake CEO videos pushing investment scams.
- Celebrity endorsements — Taylor Swift, Tom Hanks faked.
- Romance scams using AI faces — fake love interests.
- Ask uncomfortable questions — AI sometimes fails.
- Reverse image search photos.
- Real celebrities don't pitch on Facebook ads.
AI-generated phishing
- Perfect grammar (no more typos).
- Highly personalized (mention real details).
- Creates urgency / emotional pressure.
- Email/texts impossible to distinguish.
- Defense: NEVER click links in emails. Type URL directly.
- Call company on number from THEIR official website.
Fake AI services
- "ChatGPT Premium" apps — most fake.
- Real ChatGPT: chat.openai.com.
- Real Claude: claude.ai.
- Real Gemini: gemini.google.com.
- App stores have many fakes — read reviews.
- FREE versions of all major AI exist.
- Don't pay for "exclusive" AI access.
Family password (do this NOW)
- Pick a word ALL family knows.
- Something inside-joke, never on social media.
- Use ONLY in emergency to verify identity.
- "Grandma in jail" calls = ask for password.
- Real grandkids will know it.
- Teach kids when they get phone.
When in doubt
- Hang up. Call back on official number.
- Tell a friend before sending money.
- 24-hour rule — sleep on big decisions.
- Never send money under pressure.
- Real emergencies have real solutions through real channels.
- If feels off — it is.
Free help
AARP Fraud Watch helpline — 1-877-908-3360. Free counselors. Talk through suspicious calls. FTC report — reportfraud.ftc.gov. FBI IC3 — ic3.gov for online crime. Your bank can also reverse some scam payments if reported within 24-48 hours.