AI Safety Resources

KNOWLEDGE IS
YOUR BEST
DEFENSE

Free guides, checklists, and alerts to help you and your family stay ahead of AI-powered scams. Everything is written in plain language and designed to be printed and kept handy.

Know the Threats

AI SCAMS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

HIGH RISK

AI VOICE CLONING SCAMS

Scammers can now clone anyone's voice from just a few seconds of audio found on social media, voicemail greetings, or video calls. They use this technology to call family members pretending to be a loved one in distress, often claiming they need money urgently for bail, medical bills, or travel emergencies. The voice sounds so real that even close family members cannot always tell the difference.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

Create a family code word that only your close relatives know. If someone calls claiming to be a family member in trouble, ask for the code word before taking any action. Always hang up and call the person directly using a number you already have saved. Never wire money or send gift cards based on a phone call alone, no matter how convincing the voice sounds.

HIGH RISK

DEEPFAKE VIDEO AND IMAGE SCAMS

AI can now generate realistic video and images of real people saying and doing things they never actually did. Scammers use this to create fake endorsements from trusted public figures, fabricated news stories designed to cause panic, and convincing video messages that appear to come from friends or family members. These are increasingly used in romance scams and investment fraud targeting seniors.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

Be skeptical of any video that asks you to take immediate action, especially if it involves money. Look for visual clues like unnatural blinking, mismatched lip movements, or blurry edges around the face and hair. Verify any surprising claims through a trusted news source or by contacting the person directly. Remember that seeing something on video does not make it true.

HIGH RISK

AI-POWERED PHISHING EMAILS AND TEXTS

Older phishing emails often had obvious spelling errors and awkward phrasing that made them easier to spot. AI tools have eliminated those red flags. Today's phishing messages are grammatically perfect, personalized with details scraped from social media, and designed to create urgency. They may appear to come from your bank, your doctor's office, Medicare, or a family member.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

Never click a link in an email or text message that asks you to verify your identity or make a payment. Instead, go directly to the organization's website by typing the address into your browser, or call them using the phone number on the back of your card or on a recent statement. Check the sender's email address carefully, as scammers often use addresses that are very close to the real one but with small changes. When in doubt, wait 24 hours before responding to any urgent request.

FAKE TECH SUPPORT SCAMS

These scams begin with a pop-up on your computer screen, a phone call, or an email warning that your device has been compromised. The scammer claims to be from a well-known company and offers to fix the problem remotely. If you give them access, they may install malware, steal personal information, or charge you hundreds of dollars for services you do not need. AI makes these scripts more convincing and allows scammers to operate at much larger scale.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

Legitimate technology companies will never call you out of the blue to warn about a problem with your computer. If you see a pop-up warning, do not call the number shown on screen. Instead, close the browser window or restart your computer. If you are concerned about your device's security, contact the manufacturer directly using the number from their official website or the documentation that came with your device.

Quick Reference

THE THREE-QUESTION TEST

When you receive any unexpected call, email, or message that asks you to take action, ask yourself these three questions before responding:

1
Is this creating urgency?

Scammers pressure you to act immediately because they know that if you take time to think, you will see through the deception. Any legitimate organization will give you time to verify.

2
Can I verify this independently?

Hang up and call the person or organization directly using a number you already have. Do not use any contact information provided in the suspicious message itself.

3
Am I being asked for money or personal information?

If the answer is yes, stop. No legitimate caller will ask you to pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. No real organization will ask for your full Social Security number or bank login over the phone.

Print this checklist and keep it next to your phone. Share it with friends and family. These three questions can stop most scams before they start.

Stay Informed

SCAM ALERT NEWSLETTER

Get monthly updates on the latest AI scams targeting seniors, new protection tips, and upcoming workshop dates. Written in plain language. Unsubscribe anytime.

More Help

TRUSTED EXTERNAL RESOURCES

FTC SCAM REPORTING

If you or someone you know has been targeted by a scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Your report helps law enforcement track patterns and shut down scam operations. You can file online or call their dedicated consumer helpline.

AARP FRAUD WATCH

AARP operates a free fraud helpline staffed by trained specialists who can help you evaluate suspicious contacts and report fraud. They also publish regular alerts about emerging scam types targeting older adults across the country.

FBI IC3

The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center accepts online reports of internet-facilitated criminal activity. If you have lost money to an online scam, filing a report with IC3 is an important step in the investigation process.