Artificial intelligence is changing the way criminals target older adults. Scammers now use AI to scan obituaries and public records to identify vulnerable seniors, crafting convincing scripts or deepfakes to steal money. For many in the sandwich generation, this adds a new layer of anxiety to the already difficult task of caring for both children and aging parents. Experts report that victims over 60 filed more than 200,000 cyber crime complaints in 2025, with financial losses totaling nearly $8 billion.
Clayton LiaBraaten of Truecaller describes cases where scammers target grieving widows with elaborate stories about their late spouses to extract large sums. The fallout extends beyond bank balances. Many families face severe emotional distress, and the shame associated with being scammed often prevents seniors from seeking help immediately, which allows criminals to continue their operations.
Caregivers like Ian Bednowitz, who faced identity theft involving a family member, emphasize the need for proactive security measures. These include redirecting mail to third-party scanners, removing sensitive financial documents from the home, and establishing secondary approvals for large bank transactions. While some anti-fraud tools now use technology to flag suspicious activity, the human element remains critical.
Open communication is a primary defense. Caregivers should discuss current scam trends with their aging relatives to increase awareness without causing unnecessary alarm. Resources from organizations such as the National Council on Aging provide lists of common scams that help families identify threats before they result in financial devastation. Prevention is far more effective than attempting to recover lost assets after a breach occurs.