Scam-Proofing the People You Love: Part 3

Senior Safety
Written By Larry Betz

Scams That Pull at the Heart: Grandchildren, AI Voices, Romance, and "Wrong Numbers"

By Larry Betz | Prepared Not Paranoid https://www.preparednotparanoid.com/

Imagine this. It's 9 p.m. Your father's phone rings. It's his grandson, crying. "Grandpa, I was in an accident. I'm in jail. Please don't tell Mom and Dad. My lawyer will call you about bail."

The voice is right. The panic is right. Your father's heart is pounding. All he wants to do is help.

A few minutes later, the "lawyer" calls. He needs $8,000 in cash. A courier will pick it up at the house tonight.


In Part 2, we covered scams that use authority. This part covers the ones that use love, loneliness, generosity, and hope. They're harder to resist, because they go after the best things about the people we love.

The Grandparent and Family Emergency Scam

The caller says a child, grandchild, or spouse has been arrested, hurt, stranded, or even kidnapped. They need money now, and they beg you not to tell anyone.

Why it works: Love and fear override logic. When you believe someone you love is in danger, your instinct is to help first and ask questions later.

What to do:

  • Hang up and call the person directly, on the number you already have

  • Call another family member to check

  • Ask for the family code word (more on that below)

  • Never accept "don't tell anyone" as a reason to skip checking

AI Voice and Deepfake Scams

This is the part that's changed the most. Criminals can now clone a voice from a few seconds of audio, often pulled from a video posted on social media. They can also make fake photos and video of real people.

In December 2024, the FBI warned that criminals are using artificial intelligence to make these scams more convincing, and recommended that families create a secret word or phrase to verify each other.

Signs to watch for:

  • An unexpected request for money by phone, text, or video

  • Speech that sounds slightly off in pacing or word choice

  • Pressure to act now and not call anyone else

What to do: Check through a second, separate method. Call the person back on a number you know is theirs. And agree on a family code word before an emergency happens.

The Family Code Word

Pick a word or short phrase that's private, never posted online, and easy to remember. Not a pet's name. Not a street. If someone calls in a panic, ask for the word. No word, no money.

What to Say (to your parents): "If anyone ever calls sounding like one of the grandkids and asks for money, ask them for our word. If they can't say it, hang up and call me. Even if it sounds exactly like them."

Romance and Companionship Scams

Someone builds a relationship online over weeks or months. They're attentive, kind, and always available. They can never quite meet in person or video chat. Then come the requests: money for travel, a medical emergency, a business problem, customs fees, or an investment.

Why it works: Loneliness is powerful, and these scammers are patient. They invest weeks before they ever ask for a dollar.

Warning signs:

  • They avoid meeting in person or on a live video call

  • They say "I love you" very quickly

  • Affection and money start to show up in the same conversations

What to do: Never send money to someone you haven't met in person. Search their profile photos with a reverse image search. Talk about the relationship with a trusted family member.

Investment, Crypto, and "Wrong Number" Scams

It often starts with a text that looks like a mistake: "Hi Linda, are we still on for lunch Tuesday?" You reply to say they have the wrong number. They apologize, and a friendly conversation begins. Weeks later, your new friend mentions an investment that's been making them a lot of money.

A fake website or app shows big profits. But when you try to withdraw, there's a "tax" or "fee" first. Then another.

The truth: No real investment guarantees returns. Never invest because an online contact coached you, and talk to a licensed financial professional you found yourself.

Prize, Lottery, and Inheritance Scams

You've won! You just have to pay taxes, shipping, or legal fees first.

The truth: A real prize never requires payment by gift card, crypto, wire, or cash. And if you didn't enter the contest, you didn't win it.

Charity and Disaster Scams

After a wildfire, hurricane, or tragedy in the news, fake charities appear overnight.

What to do: Don't give under pressure. Look up the charity yourself and give through its official website. A credit card gives you more protection than cash, a gift card, or a payment app.

Home Repair and Door-to-Door Scams

A "contractor" knocks and says your roof, driveway, or tree needs urgent work. He wants a large deposit, cash only, today.

What to do: Never decide on the spot. Check the contractor's license, insurance, and references. Get a written contract with the full scope, price, and payment schedule, and know your state's cancellation rights.

When It's Someone They Trust

This is the hardest one to talk about. Financial exploitation doesn't always come from a stranger. Sometimes it's a relative, a caregiver, a neighbor, a professional, or a new "best friend."

Warning signs:

  • Unexplained withdrawals, or bills going unpaid when there's money in the account

  • Sudden changes to accounts, a will, or property

  • A new person who seems to control access to your parent

  • Missing possessions

  • Your parent seems nervous or afraid around a caregiver

What to do: Write down what you see. Contact the bank, Adult Protective Services, or the police as appropriate. Don't confront a suspected exploiter alone.

Ask Yourself

  • Does our family have a code word? Do my parents know it?

  • Is there anyone new in my parent's life who's asking about money?

  • Would my parent tell me if an online friend asked them for help?

Remember: The best scams target the best parts of us: love, loyalty, and generosity. A code word and a phone call protect all three.

Get Started Today

My free guide, Protecting Older Adults from Scams & Financial Exploitation, covers every scam in this series, with the warning signs and what to do for each.

[CTA: Comment or DM "[KEYWORD]" / or download it here: LINK]

Go Deeper

The Family Safety Toolkit includes Senior Safety checklists to help you and your parents build a plan together. [Get the Toolkit here: LINK]

Cyber Safety: A Beginner's Guide to Protecting Your Digital Footprint helps you lock down the social media posts and personal details scammers use to make their stories believable. [Get Cyber Safety here: LINK]

Tools I recommend: Visit my Senior Safety store on Amazon for the products I recommend to help older adults stay safe, secure, and independent at home. [AMAZON STORE LINK]

Related reading:

  • Red Cell Your Family, Part 5: Red Cell Your Circle (well-meaning relatives and caregivers) [LINK]

  • Red Cell Your Family, Part 6: Train Your Team (the family code word) [LINK]

Coming Up in Part 4

Build Your Family's Fraud Plan. The STOP, VERIFY, TELL method, how to help without taking away independence, and exactly what to do if a scam has already happened.

References

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal or financial advice. If you suspect a family member is being exploited, contact their bank, your local Adult Protective Services, or law enforcement.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

The prepared protector is someone who's decided that loving someone means being ready for them, not just hoping things go fine.

Prepared Not Paranoid. Protecting the Most Vulnerable Among Us.

Larry Betz https://www.sedonastrengthandmobility.com
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Scam-Proofing the People You Love: Part 2
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Scam-Proofing the People You Love: Part 4