Oh my God! That’s not me!
Like most seniors, I have no idea what artificial intelligence (AI) is or the future uses for this ever-changing technology.
I do know that my two sons challenged their old man to see for myself the potential use of this “gizmo” and it frightened the helluva out of me.
There I was “sitting” before the camera asking Vegas Voice readers to contribute money due to my PILL (that’s partner in love & life) and President Rana Goodman’s dire medical (complete with her hospital photo) condition.
Now it was all false, a complete fake. My Rana’s fine but my boys wanted to show this publisher just how realistic and sophisticated AI is becoming.
I urge everyone to take a few moments to see for yourself. It’s from our “Scams, Schemes & Senior Safety” video placed on our YouTube channel and home page website.
Unfortunately, the bad guys know full-well what they can do with AI and are already hatching scams to obtain your financial information or take your money. And as AI technology develops in record speed, scammers are going to implement them just as fast.
Sadly, no matter what government authorities claim, you can’t stop it. You can only protect yourself when – not if – scammers target you or your loved ones.
Thankfully and for now, no matter how impressive and realistic the fakes may be, while you can’t trust your eyes or ears, there are still “tells” – those giant signs for you to know that it is all a scam. Here are the warning signs:
1. Fear or Urgency. When you’re told that you must act now, not as soon as possible or by tomorrow, it’s a scam. No matter the crisis and no matter how scary the situation appears to be, slow down, take a breath and think!
2. Secrecy. If you’re told that you must not tell anyone – not the police or your bank or even a family member or trusted friend, it’s a scam.
3. Trust but Verify. You think that phone call, email or video is legit? Follow our Number 1 step. Take a breath and see if you can call them back, or if its concerning your bank, or credit card company, contact them directly at the number you have, not the number given
Afraid that your grandchild is indeed arrested, kidnapped or in the hospital? Ideally your family should have a secret code word to verify (in my case it’s “idiot” but that’s another story) although I realize that most people won’t do that.
However, you can verify by asking that person his or her middle name or how many siblings they have. Obviously if they cannot give you the right answer, it’s a scam.
Oh, and if you feel it’s a real emergency, call 911.
4. Never Volunteer. Last, but definitely not least, if you need to disclose your banking information or your Medicare or Social Security number or must pay by only gift cards or cryptocurrency it’s a scam. Always, always, always.
Bottom Line: You can’t stop these SOBs from contacting you as a potential target but you can be prepared to never be a victim.
As I shook my head in disgust at the video, I had one last question for my sons: At the very least, couldn’t they have “slimed me down” or put some more hair on my head? They simply responded by advising that AI “doesn’t lie.” Frightening indeed.
