AI-Driven Scams Target Older Adults: A Growing Concern in Tempe
When a Tempe resident received a call about her daughter’s arrest in Florida, she was quick to respond. The caller, claiming to be a bail bondsman, provided authentic-sounding details like her daughter’s case number and the name of a legitimate bail bondsman. Trusting the information, she wired hundreds of dollars via CashApp. It wasn’t until later that she realized she had fallen victim to a scam.
This incident struck a chord with attendees at a recent AI information session in Tempe, organized by Connect Tempe and the Arizona Corporation Commission. The event, primarily attended by seniors, focused on educating them about the risks associated with AI and scams. Dana Brazelton, a 67-year-old participant, expressed her determination to stay informed, saying, “I need to be more informed with technology and what’s happening in the world, because it’s not going away.”
Tempe’s commitment to being an age-friendly city under AARP guidelines involves educating its older residents about technological threats. Megan Wilson, Tempe Community Health Program manager, emphasized the city’s proactive approach: “Once we get that on our radar, we want to make sure we are proactive and really provide that education to the community of what to look out for.”
The AI awareness sessions, part of a broader outreach initiative, include multiple classes scheduled throughout June. Lucero Gonzalez Alvarado, the Arizona Corporation Commission’s investor education and outreach coordinator, highlighted the importance of community in combating scams: “This could happen to everyone,” she noted. “These are getting really good, especially with AI. So I feel like the first thing is listening to people.”
Gonzalez Alvarado also pointed out that AI advancements have equipped scammers with sophisticated tools, posing significant risks to vulnerable groups, particularly seniors. A notable threat is AI voice cloning, which allows scammers to impersonate family members convincingly. “AI imitating someone you know to get you to give them money for an emergency, or imitating a professional, a celebrity, to have you invest, that’s a common scam,” she explained.
Participants shared their experiences and fears, from receiving fraudulent party invitations from hacked emails to worries about malware. Despite these concerns, attendees like Jeanette Costa, 81, found the sessions empowering. “I increased my understanding of the various methods of scammers,” Costa remarked, highlighting the manipulative use of fear in scams. She plans to continue attending these informative sessions to keep abreast of evolving technologies.
“AI is constantly evolving, so I have to stay caught up, for sure,” Costa added, reflecting the sentiments of many others present.
This article first appeared on Cronkite News and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
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