The Caregiver’s Dilemma
Scammers know older adults are prime targets. In 2023, Americans over 60 lost $3.4 billion to fraud. With AI, scams are faster, personalized, and harder to detect. As a caregiver, you’re the first line of defense.
Why Caregivers Need to Lead
- Emotional targeting: Scammers exploit loneliness, urgency, and trust.
- AI voice cloning: A “grandchild” can call asking for money within minutes of pulling a voice sample online.
- Deepfake videos: Fake endorsements or “news” clips pressure quick decisions.
Your job: slow the rush, build habits, and create safe defaults.
3 Caregiver Guardrails
- Set the No-Click Rule
- Teach loved ones: Never click links in emails or texts, even if they look real.
- Instead, go directly to the official site or call the company.
- Neuroscience: Repetition strengthens habits—review this weekly until automatic.
- Create a “Trusted Circle” Code Word
- Agree on a family code word that must be used if someone calls for help.
- AI voice clones can fake tone, but not a pre-set code.
- Uses prospective memory: planning now makes recall easier under stress.
- Practice Scam Drills
- Read a scam text aloud and have them spot the red flags.
- Brain training: Active practice builds stronger recognition circuits than passive warnings.
Watch This Video for an Overview of Common AI Scams:
Hands-On Practice
📝 Drill 1: The Emergency Call Test
Say: “Grandma, I need $500 right now. Can you help?”
See if your loved one asks for the code word before responding. Repeat until automatic.
📝 Drill 2: Email Red Flag Hunt
Show a phishing email (from a safe example). Ask:
- Who is the sender?
- Is there urgency?
- Does the link look suspicious?
This converts abstract rules into muscle memory.
Creative Anchor: “The Family Firewall”
Think of your family like a computer. Just as antivirus software blocks threats, you are the human firewall protecting loved ones. Every safe habit is another layer of defense.
Reflection Prompt
- Who in your family is most vulnerable to scams?
- Do they know the “No-Click Rule” and family code word?
- What drill will you run with them this week?
Key Takeaway
AI scams prey on trust and speed. As a caregiver, you can protect loved ones by:
- Setting clear rules (don’t click, verify first)
- Using code words to beat voice clones
- Running practice drills until safe responses are automatic
Caregivers don’t just warn—they train. That training saves money, stress, and dignity.
Here is a printout checklist to help protect loved ones from scams:
Up Next:
Move from general scam awareness to the specific tricks targeting caregivers—learn how to spot them early and keep both you and your loved ones safe.
Disclaimer: The information in this lesson is provided for educational purposes only. It is not legal, financial, medical, or professional advice. Results may vary depending on individual use. While we update content regularly, AI tools and risks can change over time. Always use your own judgment and consult a qualified professional if you need specific advice.