HARRISBURG, PA — AARP Pennsylvania is raising the alarm about a surge in advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) scams aimed at older adults. As AI technology progresses, scammers are exploiting tools like deepfake videos and voice cloning to trick people into surrendering money and personal information.
“The misuse of AI in scams is a growing concern,” said Mary Bach, AARP Pennsylvania Volunteer and Chair of the Consumer Issues Task Force. “Scammers can now convincingly mimic the voices and faces of trusted individuals, making it harder than ever to distinguish between what’s real and what’s fake. We must stay informed and cautious to protect ourselves.”
A recent case in Hong Kong underscores the threat. A finance worker was deceived into wiring $25.6 million after participating in a videoconference with what appeared to be his company’s CFO and other executives. The entire interaction was a sophisticated AI-generated hoax.
David Kalinoski, AARP Associate State Director, stresses the importance of vigilance. “AI technology can create incredibly realistic scams. We urge everyone to verify any unusual requests, especially those involving financial transactions. Always contact the person or company directly using known contact information before taking any action.”
To safeguard against AI scams, AARP Pennsylvania offers these tips:
- Verify Caller Identity: If someone claims to be from a business or a family member in crisis, hang up and call back using a known number.
- Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Requests: Never give out personal or financial information in response to unexpected requests.
- Use Safe Communication Practices: Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails or text messages. Visit the website directly by typing the URL into your browser.
- Set Up Family Codes: Establish a secret code word with family members to confirm identities during emergency calls.
These proactive measures can help protect individuals from falling victim to increasingly sophisticated AI scams.
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