Scam-Proofing Your Loved Ones: How to Shield Family from Sneaky AI Scams

AI is revolutionising our personal and professional lives. But as this technology becomes more advanced and intuitive, thanks to the endless prompts and data we feed it, it’s getting harder to tell what’s real and what’s not. Unfortunately, older adults are often the ones targeted by these scams, especially when they’re less familiar with the warning signs.

From hyper-realistic images of people who don’t exist to phoney job listings, the line between authentic and artificial is blurring by the day. And it’s not just harmless trickery -some scams are downright dangerous. Take the recent case of an elderly couple in Malaysia who drove three hours to visit a tourist attraction they saw in a video, only to discover it was completely fake created by AI.

Here’s a guide to the most common AI-powered scams targeting seniors, and how you can help your loved ones spot and avoid them.

Deepfake scams

What it is: Deepfakes are AI-generated videos, images, or audio clips digitally manipulated to make someone appear to say or do something they never actually did. These fakes can now mimic voices, facial expressions, and speech patterns with alarming accuracy. For seniors, this could mean receiving a voicemail that sounds exactly like a grandchild asking for help, or seeing a video of a trusted public figure endorsing a scam product.

How to protect them:

Set up a family “safe word” only you both know. If a call or message feels urgent, they should ask for it.
Show them examples of deepfakes so they know what to look for.
Tell them to be suspicious of videos or voicemails asking for money or personal details.
Show them how to look for odd details, like blurry mouth movements or mismatched skin tones.
Teach them how to use reverse image search to check if a photo is real.
Remind them to call you or another family member directly if they ever get a suspicious message.

AI job scams

What it is: Job scams have been around for years, but AI has made them more convincing than ever. Scammers now use AI to generate professional-looking job ads, emails, and even fake recruiter profiles. The scam usually promises a high-paying remote job (which sounds ideal) but then demands a “training fee” or payment for special software before you can start.

How to protect them:

Save official job boards or company career pages on their computer.
Encourage them to run any job offer by you before replying.
Remind them: If they ask for money, it’s a scam.
Create a shared folder where they can drag suspicious emails for you to review.

Romance scams

What it is: Romance scams have taken a high-tech turn. Scammers now use AI to create fake dating profiles complete with attractive photos, believable bios, and chatbots capable of long, seemingly emotionally intelligent conversations.

These scams often target people who are lonely or vulnerable, such as elderly parents who’ve lost a partner, or busy professionals with little time for traditional dating. Once trust is built, the scammer invents a crisis and asks for money.

How to protect them:

Offer to meet any new online friend or partner on a video call with you present.
Encourage them to share their online conversations with you - frame it as “I’d love to meet the new friend you’re talking to” rather than checking up on them.
Remind them never to send money or gifts to someone they haven’t met in person.
We wary of a relationship that’s moving too fast or overly perfect.
Set their social media privacy settings to “friends only” and monitor any unknown friend requests.
Consider emotional context: Are you or your loved one feeling lonely or vulnerable?

AI scam calls

What it is: Scam calls are also nothing new, but AI has taken them to a new level. These calls often claim to be from your bank, a government agency, or a utility company, pressuring you to make a payment or share personal information. For someone distracted, stressed, or not tech-savvy, such as an elderly parent, these calls can be dangerously convincing.

How to spot it and stay safe:

Teach them the “pause rule”: if something feels urgent, wait at least 10 minutes before acting.
Again, set a family “safe word” to use in emergencies.
Teach them to notice robotic voices, awkward pauses, mispronunciations (in slang or names) or flat tones.
Create a call-back rule: No matter what, they never act on a call without hanging up and calling back again.

Fake products and reviews

What it is: AI can now generate hundreds of fake product and reviews in seconds, making a mediocre item look like the best thing since sliced bread. These scams often pop up in social media ads or on little-known shopping sites. You might see a sleek new chair, a self-cleaning coffee mug, or a gadget that seems too good to be true - and that’s usually because it is.

How to protect them:

Teach them to be wary of reviews that are overly positive with no mention of downsides. Show them how to read the 3-star reviews (which are often more honest).
Bookmark a list of trusted retailers on their browser so they always shop from safe sites.
Agree to check any new site together before they order something pricey.
Remind them that if the price is too good to be true, it probably is.
Install pop-up blockers on their browser.

Financial Safety Nets

Even with precautions, a scam might slip through.

Action you can take together:

Enable two-factor authentication for banking and email.
Set up bank alerts for withdrawals or transfers above a certain amount.
Add yourself as a trusted contact for their bank account or credit card company.
Keep a written list of emergency numbers (bank, police, family) by the phone.

The most powerful protection is trust. Many seniors don’t tell anyone they’re being targeted because they feel embarrassed. Make sure your loved one knows they can always come to you without judgment.

A good phrase to use is:

“Scammers are getting smarter every day. If something feels strange, it’s not you - it’s them. Let’s check it together.”