An old scam that mostly targets seniors is taking on a new life with the help of artificial intelligence. KNX News’ Emily Valdez spoke to people who received the scam calls at a senior center on Melrose Ave.
“I received a phone call when I was sound asleep. Someone was telling me my grandson, Charlie, who was in Italy, was in a car accident,” said one resident.
This is known as the “grandparents scam” and it typically involves using a fake voice to make seniors believe that their grandkids need money. Now, scammers are using artificial intelligence to really make it sound like their grandkids.
“We have so many that are sure that that's their grandchild,” said Adrienne Omansky with the Stop Senior Scams acting program.
She told seniors to create a code word that their whole family knows that scammers won't, to verify the authenticity of family members calling.
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