Senior Safety Update 2026 — Stop AI‑Impostor Calls and Multi‑Vector Scams

Quick overview: Why this matters now

Scammers are using AI to clone voices, automate callbacks, and combine phone, text, email and social channels to trick people — and older adults are often targeted because attackers can profit more quickly. This update gives simple, low-technical steps you can do today, short scripts to use when a call seems suspicious, and a clear list of who to contact if something happens.

For immediate reporting and national-level intake of phone and internet scams, file complaints with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC); local help and tailored guidance are also available through the AARP Fraud Watch Network.

Simple device & account settings (15–30 minutes)

Start with settings that give real protection and are easy to keep:

• Enable a carrier number lock / port-out protection: Most major carriers now offer a way to lock transfers or require your consent in the carrier app or by calling customer service. This reduces the risk of a SIM‑swap that hands a scammer your phone number.
• Stop using SMS for important 2‑step codes: Use an authenticator app (e.g., Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator) or a passkey/security key for banking and email when possible — these methods are more resistant to SIM swap and phishing. NIST and other authorities now recommend passkeys and phishing‑resistant authenticators.
• Set voicemail and account PINs: Add or update a voicemail PIN and ask your bank and key services to require a secure PIN before discussing account details.
• Turn on caller ID protections and silence unknown callers: Use the phone’s ‘silence unknown callers’ or ‘do not disturb’ with exceptions for contacts; enable carrier spam-blocking tools or a reputable call-blocking app.
• Lock critical accounts to an email you control: Make sure recovery email addresses are secure, use a password manager, and remove old phone numbers from account recovery options.

These steps take little time and block many modern attack chains that combine voice cloning and number takeover.

Scripts to use on suspicious calls + practical actions

When a caller pressures you or claims a family emergency, stay calm and use these short, polite scripts. After each script we list the immediate action to take.

1) If someone claims to be from a company (bank, government, tech support):

"I don’t share account details on the phone. I’ll hang up and call your company at the number on my statement or official website."

Action: Hang up. Look up the company’s number yourself (from a statement or the company’s website) and call back if you really need to confirm. Never call back a number the caller gives you in the suspicious call.

2) If someone claims a family emergency and asks for money or gift cards:

"I want to help, but I need time to check. I’ll call my family now and sort this out."

Action: Pause and contact the family member directly using a known number.

3) If a caller says you owe money or there’s a legal issue:

"Please send that information in writing to my address or email. I don’t give payment over the phone."

Action: Scammers push for immediate payment. Legitimate agencies will send written notices and allow time to verify.

4) If you accidentally gave information or paid:

"I may have been scammed; I’m contacting my bank and reporting it now."

Action: Immediately contact your bank or credit card company to stop payments; change passwords for affected accounts; contact your phone carrier to check for SIM changes.

Keep these scripts somewhere handy (a notecard near your phone) so you don’t have to think under pressure.

Who to contact — exact places to report and next steps

If you were targeted or lost money, report the incident. Reports help investigators and can protect others:

Also contact your bank or payment provider immediately to try to stop transfers and ask about fraud claims; call your phone carrier to freeze or lock your number if you suspect a SIM swap. Many agencies and consumer sites include step‑by‑step complaint forms to make reporting easier.

Note on follow‑ups: When you file with IC3 or the FTC, keep copies of the report confirmation. If you get follow‑up calls or messages claiming to be investigators or to offer recovery services, treat them with the same caution — investigators will not pressure you to pay to recover money.

Local police and state AG

For immediate threats or if someone is in danger, call 911. For financial loss, also contact your local police non‑emergency number and your state attorney general’s consumer protection office; they can help escalate especially when significant sums are lost.