How to Avoid Imposter Scams: Tips from AARP and Eyewitness News

The Rise of Imposter Scams

• 🤖 Artificial intelligence is making it increasingly difficult to distinguish real communications from scams.
• ⚠️ The eighth scam in the "12 Scams of Christmas" series focuses on imposters who exploit emotions and fake identities.

Common Imposter Tactics

• 🎭 Scammers impersonate trusted entities like utility companies or the IRS, but are particularly effective when pretending to be a loved one in distress.
• 👵 Grandparents are especially vulnerable to these scams, often receiving calls about fabricated emergencies like car accidents, missed flights, or needing money urgently.
• 🚨 Scammers often create a sense of urgency and emergency, pressuring victims to act quickly without thinking.

Identifying a Scam

• ❓ Key indicators of a scam include requests for personal information, demands for money, or attempts to evoke strong emotional responses (love, fear).
• 📞 Caller ID can be easily faked, displaying legitimate-sounding names or even familiar contacts.
• 💸 Legitimate companies will never threaten you or demand payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or payment apps.

Protecting Yourself and Loved Ones

• 🛑 If a situation feels off, stop, hang up, and verify independently.
• ☎️ Call the supposed loved one or company directly using a vetted phone number (e.g., from a bill or official contact list).
• 🗣️ Consider establishing a family code word to verify identities during suspicious calls.
• 💡 Scammers leverage emotions like love and fear, and use AI to mimic voices and spoof phone numbers, making critical thinking essential.
• 🚫 Never pay someone through gift cards, crypto, or payment apps, especially if they ask you to send money to a friend's account.