June is World Elder Abuse Awareness Month , an important reminder to look out for the older adults in our lives. Financial exploitation targeting seniors is on the rise, costing older Americans billions of dollars annually. Because scammers use high-pressure tactics and sophisticated technology, understanding their methods is our best line of defense.
While the storylines of these scams are familiar, fraudsters are now using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to make them even more convincing. AI allows scammers to easily mimic specific voices, create realistic legal documents, and text without standard grammatical errors , making their traps much harder to spot
Financial abuse can happen to anyone, but staying connected makes a big difference. Watch for these common warning signs in your loved ones' behavior or finances:
If a call or message feels urgent or suspicious, stop and verify . Because AI can clone voices and spoof caller ID numbers, you can’t always trust your ears or your screen. Hang up and dial the organization or family member directly using a known, trusted phone number—not the number provided by the caller.
At Wright-Patt Credit Union, protecting your financial well-being is our top priority. If you suspect that you or an older family member has been targeted by a financial scam, please contact us immediately or visit a Member Center. For more practical resources, guides, and fraud alerts, visit WPCU.coop/stopfraud .