Clayton LiaBraaten, a senior executive spokesperson for the spam-blocking app Truecaller, frequently encounters stories that highlight the devastating impact of modern financial exploitation. Recently, he assisted a man whose widowed mother was defrauded of more than $7,000. The perpetrators, leveraging artificial intelligence to craft convincing narratives, claimed they had collaborated with her late husband to conceal tax evasion records. They coerced her into paying under the guise of protecting her remaining inheritance.
By the time her son discovered the deception, the funds were gone. LiaBraaten noted that scammers are now actively “scouring obituaries and looking for vulnerabilities” to target grieving individuals. While he could not recover the lost money, the family successfully secured the widow’s bank accounts, requiring approval from one of her adult children for any future transactions.
This scenario is becoming increasingly common as members of the “sandwich generation”—adults balancing the care of their own children and aging parents—take on the role of financial liaisons. The pressure is immense; in 2025 alone, the FBI received over 200,000 cybercrime complaints from victims aged 60 and older, with reported losses totaling nearly $8 billion. Experts warn that these figures are likely underreported as many families struggle to manage the constant influx of digital threats.
Ian Bednowitz, general manager at LifeLock, experienced this crisis firsthand when his mother’s caregiver stole her identity to open fraudulent credit lines. The ordeal forced him to overhaul his mother’s security, including redirecting her mail to a third-party scanning service and instructing her medical providers to stop sharing paper documents with caregivers. Bednowitz described the experience as a source of profound despair, noting that the financial and emotional burden of caregiving is often compounded by these security breaches.
The rise of AI has significantly lowered the barrier for entry for cybercriminals. According to LiaBraaten, scammers now use AI to research potential victims, generate personalized scripts, and create deepfake audio or visual content to build trust. These tools allow criminals to execute thousands of automated calls simultaneously, often gathering personal information in initial contacts to leverage for future fraud.
Cybersecurity expert and author Patrick Coughlin observes that these operations function like sophisticated, illicit businesses. The psychological toll is often as severe as the financial loss, as victims frequently experience intense shame and isolation. “The first thing people say is, ‘How’d you fall for that?'” Coughlin noted, explaining that this stigma often prevents seniors from reporting scams early, which allows criminals to extract even more money.
Despite these challenges, there are proactive steps families can take. Digital tools such as Carefull or Coughlin’s Savi Security allow caregivers to monitor accounts for suspicious activity. LiaBraaten emphasizes that open communication is vital; caregivers should discuss trending scams with their loved ones to build awareness without inducing paranoia. Resources like the Truecaller website and the National Council on Aging provide updated information on common fraud tactics.
Bednowitz stresses that prevention remains the most effective strategy. He urges families not to wait for a crisis to occur, as resolving identity theft and financial fraud is significantly more difficult after the fact. “Make sure that you’re protecting all of their data, not just their physical and mental health,” he advised. Ultimately, prioritizing data privacy is an essential component of modern elder care. The report also notes that it’s the kind of call that makes Clayton LiaBraaten’s blood boil. The report also notes that it’s so disgusting, I can barely keep my cool about it. The report also notes that text, instant message and piece of snail mail to avoid the financial devastation of a scam, some of today’s sandwich generation caregivers feel compelled to filter their parents’ every call. The report also notes that he couldn’t risk another breach of his mother’s privacy. The report also notes that taking care of my mom, i was already under financial stress. The report also notes that but more seniors than ever before are embracing smartphones, LiaBraaten said, and in some cases spending just as much time online as today’s kids. The report also notes that mainly because of the rise of AI, bednowitz said things have gotten worse since his mother’s fraud incident in 2016. The report also notes that he said, but he also understands the barriers for some families, being proactive about protecting seniors from scams is imperative.