Online scams are evolving faster than ever—and for many older adults, the rapid pace of technology makes staying safe feel overwhelming. That’s why LivWell Seniors recently welcomed Makenna Deason, founder of ElderTech QC, for her presentation “Protecting Your Parents From Online Scams.”

Makenna works exclusively in person with seniors in the Quad Cities, helping with everything from photos and passwords to printers and Wi-Fi. Her philosophy is simple: technology should serve people, not the other way around. And when the tech curve rises faster than people can reasonably keep up, families and communities must help fill the gap.

Below is a recap of the most important lessons she shared—what scams look like today, how to spot the red flags, and how families can protect their loved ones.

The Scam Landscape Has Changed—Fast

According to Makenna, the biggest shift in the last six months is the rise of AI-driven fraud. Tools once considered futuristic are now freely available to scammers:

1. AI-Generated Video Calls

Scammers can use a single photo to create a convincing video of a loved one “calling” and asking for money.

The good news: These situations are still rare—but they are possible, and awareness is key.

2. Voice Cloning

With just three seconds of audio, scammers can mimic someone’s voice. This fuels “Grandparent Scams,” where a frightened voice begs for help and insists on secrecy.

3. AI-Powered Romance & Friendship Scams

Loneliness makes people vulnerable. Now scammers can deploy AI chatbots to build long-term trust with hundreds of victims at once—commenting on posts, remembering personal details, and creating emotional bonds before asking for money.

4. Phishing

Any unsolicited email, text, or phone call urging you to “click,” “verify,” or “act now” falls into this category. These messages look more legitimate than ever.

5. Tech-Support Imposters

This is one of the most common attacks affecting older adults. Makenna shared a real-life story:

A client saw a pop-up on his Chromebook saying his “Windows Defender” had detected a hack, listing a phone number for Microsoft support.

He called, gave partial credit card information, and truly believed he was speaking to Microsoft.

Of course, a Chromebook doesn’t even run Windows—an easy detail to miss when you’re panicked.

Scammers rely on fear, urgency, and confusion—not your lack of intelligence.

The Tactics Haven’t Changed—Just the Technology

Makenna emphasized that beneath all the AI and pop-ups, scams still rely on four timeless tricks:

• Authority: “This is the bank / IRS / Microsoft.”
• Urgency: “Act now or your account will be closed.”
• Fear: “You’ll be arrested / lose your money / lose your photos.”
• Emotion: “Grandma, don’t tell anyone—please help me.”

Recognizing these patterns is half the battle.

Common Red Flags Everyone Should Know

Across all scam types, these warning signs appeared again and again:

• Pressure to act immediately
• Requests for remote access to your computer
• Calls or messages you didn’t expect
• Demands for gift cards, wire transfers, or Cash App
• Instructions to keep it secret
• Messages filled with spelling errors or odd formatting
• Threats of account closures, arrests, or lawsuits

And most importantly:
? Legitimate companies will never call you out of the blue.

What To Do Instead

Makenna offered practical steps that anyone—especially adult children—can put in place now.

Layer 1: Everyday Habits

• Create a family “code word.”
  A simple phrase only your family knows provides instant verification during a real emergency.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
  Annoying, yes. Effective, absolutely.
• Never use links in emails.
  If Amazon, your bank, or your health portal needs your attention, open the website manually.
• Hang up and call back.
  Use the official number from the company’s website.
• Talk openly about scams.
  Shame keeps people silent—conversation keeps them safe.

Layer 2: System Protections

• Set up bank alerts for large withdrawals or transfers.
• Use a password manager (Makenna demonstrated how these work).
• Freeze your credit if you’re not applying for loans or new accounts.
• Use credit cards—not debit cards—for online purchases.

These steps protect people even on their worst day—when they’re tired, distracted, or scared.

The Bottom Line: Awareness Is Protection

Scams are not a sign of incompetence. They’re a sign of how sophisticated digital deception has become.

Makenna closed her presentation by reminding everyone that technology is accelerating faster than human beings can adapt. No one can keep up alone, and no one should have to.

Keeping older adults safe is a shared responsibility—one that starts with conversations like these.

If you’d like help with tech support for a senior in your life, ElderTech QC offers compassionate, in-person, relationship-based assistance. And LivWell Seniors is always here to connect you with trusted resources in our community.