How to spot an AI voice-clone scam and verify a caller
A cloned voice can sound like family in crisis. Hang up, call a number you already have, and use a family code word. Here is the FBI checklist.
Tech & AI
Tech & AI is a set of plain guides for older adults who want to try new tools without getting hurt. The pages walk through what a chatbot can and cannot do, how to check an answer, and what to do when a voice on the phone sounds like family but asks for money in a hurry. They also cover fake AI apps, chatbot tricks, using AI to prepare questions for a doctor visit, helping grandkids with homework, staying in touch with family, and setting up a smart speaker with privacy in mind.
You do not need to become a technician. Each article uses short steps and official sources from agencies such as the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, Medicare.gov, MedlinePlus, the CDC, and CISA. The stop signs stay the same from page to page. If a tool asks for a Social Security number, a Medicare number, a bank login, or a one-time passcode, stop. If a caller who sounds like a grandchild needs money sent by gift card, wire, or cryptocurrency, stop. Hang up and call a number you already have.
Keith Guirao writes these guides. He started Savvy Senior Central after watching his grandmother stretch SNAP and Medicare on a tight budget until she passed at 87. She asked good questions before she trusted anything new. These pages try to do the same for technology. When a health or money question matters, check the official site or talk with the person who is responsible for your care.
How to spot fake AI apps and chatbot scams
Look-alike AI apps and website chatbots can steal logins or install malware. Download only from official stores, and never share account numbers in a chat.
How to use AI to prepare for a doctor visit (safely)
AI can help you list questions before a visit. Check every health answer with your doctor, and never type Medicare or Social Security numbers into a chat.
AI tools that help with grandkids’ homework and family connection
AI can quiz a grandchild or help you draft a family note. Keep names, schools, and photos out of public chats, and check the school's rules first.
Voice assistants and smart speakers for seniors: setup, privacy, and fall alerts
A speaker can set reminders and place a call. Change default passwords, review privacy settings, and treat fall alerts as a helper, not a medical device.
ChatGPT for seniors: how to start, check answers, and avoid AI scams
ChatGPT can help with drafts and everyday questions, but it can also be wrong. Here is how older adults can try it, check answers, and spot voice-clone scams.