( StatePoint ) Amid technology advances enabling scammers to commit fraud , elders and their loved ones need to stay informed .

Typically , elder scams involve the transfer of money to a stranger or imposter for a promised benefit or good . In 2023 , banks reported more than $ 27 billion in suspicious activity related to elder scams , according to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network , and reports filed by the public to the Federal

Bureau of Investigation indicated an average loss of more than $ 33,000 per case . And these numbers may be conservative , as elder fraud cases may be underreported .

One technology behind these staggering figures is artificial intelligence ( AI ). Advanced methods of masking one ’ s identity using AI make it difficult to detect fakes . Voice print – or voice clone – scamming is becoming more of an issue when it comes to impersonation fraud . Using voice clips from social

media or by calling and having a brief conversation with someone , criminals can generate an imitation to be used as part of their ruse . “ Older adults are often easier prey for these types of fakes , because a recognized voice when applied to certain scam strategies is often enough to elicit action ,” says Mark Kwapiszeski , head of Enterprise Fraud at PNC .

Two Scam Strategies to Watch For

Most scams targeting elders generally follow one

or two main strategies : 1 ) elicit strong feelings and apply a sense of urgency to get someone to act quickly before thinking , and / or 2 ) entice someone with an offer that seems too good to be true , yet too alluring to pass up . Here are some of the more common types of elder scams :

Scams That Apply a Sense of Urgency :

• Tech Support . Someone will claim they need to remotely access the victim ’ s computer to

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