By Mary-Justine Lanyon
Being aware of the scams that are out there and the tactics these scammers are using puts you one step ahead of the game.
Deputy Mark Sandoval shared that thought with folks who attended his presentation on senior safety awareness, sponsored by the Mountain Jewish Community at the Mountain History Museum.
With the advent of AI, these scammers are now using fake voices. They use AI voice cloning so they can sound like your grandchild.
The grandparent scam is one of the most common ones. Someone sounding like your grandchild will call, saying they have been in an accident, are in jail, are in the hospital or stranded overseas. And they try to rush you into quick decisions, bombarding you with lots of information. They ask for money immediately, preying heavily on your emotions. They beg you not to tell anyone.
In other instances, the caller claims authority – they may say they are calling from the IRS – and demands action before you can ask questions. They demand payment through gift cards or wire transfers. What they do with them, should you send them, is make purchases which they return for cash.
What should you do?
“Take a deep breath,” Deputy Sandoval of the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station said. “You are allowed to hang up on them. Verify what they are saying independently.”
In the case of the grandparent scam, the deputy recommends family members have a safe word, a family password known only to them. Ask an odd question, something only that grandchild would know: “What did we do last year for Christmas?”
He also shared some other tips. If you are on social media, set your accounts to “private” to limit voice and video exposure. Do not answer calls from unknown numbers.
When creating passwords for online accounts, stay away from simple ones. “Use a combination of random words that AI and the computer can’t pick up on,” Deputy Sandoval said. He also said you should not click on links you don’t know.
If you get a phone call that seems suspicious, hang up and call the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station. He shared examples of calls that have come into the station. “These people had enough sense to feel the calls didn’t sound right and called the station,” Deputy Sandoval said.
The deputy also addressed residential security. He recommended having cameras at your home so you can see who is at the door.
Lighting is a big thing, he said. They had gotten a call at the station about a house that had been broken into. “We got there and it was dark. Lighting is a deterrent for the bad guys. They want to work in secrecy.”
He also advised getting to know your neighbors. “Let them know you’ll be on vacation – they’ll pay attention.” And if you’re going to be away for a long time, let the sheriff’s station know. “You can fill out a form at the station and the Citizens on Patrol will check on your house,” he said.
As much as you might agree with a petition someone asks you to sign, Deputy Sandoval advises against it. “Now they have your signature, your address,” he said.
He also advised using only known, reputable contractors as opposed to hiring someone who shows up at your door. And he said you should watch for patterns – a car you don’t recognize driving repeatedly down your street. What should you do? “Call the station,” he said.
Deputy Sandoval was joined by Makiba Green, a social worker with the county’s Department of Behavioral Health who is stationed in Twin Peaks.
Green brought with her a variety of handouts addressing reporting scams, legal resources and a friendship line you can call if you’re feeling lonely.
“If you’re struggling, have anxiety, feel depressed,” she said, “call me at the Twin Peaks station.” She is there Tuesday through Friday. “Everyone needs help sometimes,” she said.
And when you’re out shopping, Green cautioned, “don’t take anything with you. Just take your phone and a credit card on your person. We have to be our first line of defense.
“When you get out of the car, look for lighting. And when you walk back to the car, your head should be on a swivel.”
Look around in the parking lot, she advised. “There are 50 empty spaces – whey is that car parked next to you? Go back to the store and have a security guard walk with you.”
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