AI Scams Are Targeting Our Families

(Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock)

I'm writing today about two things that are on my heart — one that could protect your family's finances, and one that could affect your freedom to pray.

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM SCAMS

"Nana, I'm calling from jail. I've been unjustly arrested. I can't reach Mom and Dad. I need bail money or they'll keep me here overnight."

That is what my mother-in-law heard when she answered her phone one day — in the voice of one of my sons. Thankfully, my father-in-law immediately called our son's actual number, he answered, and they realized it was a sophisticated AI-generated scam. Crisis averted.

I wish I could say the same for my own parents, who have been targeted by callers posing as their bank or credit card company — people who already had enough real information to sound completely legitimate, but just needed "a few more details" to finish the job.

And just today, a friend told me she nearly fell for one herself.

I don't want that for you or your family. Here are the most important things to know:

1. Never answer a call from a number you don't recognize. Let it go to voicemail. Legitimate organizations will leave one.

2. If you do answer and something feels off — hang up immediately. You can always call the organization back using the number on their official website or the back of your card.

3. Never give personal information over the phone to someone who called you — not your Social Security number, account numbers, passwords, or verification codes. Ever.

4. If you hear a family member's voice in distress, hang up and call that person directly on their known number before doing anything else. AI can now clone a voice from just a few seconds of audio.

5. Be especially cautious of urgency. Scammers create panic on purpose — "Act now or lose your account" or "We need this today" — to stop you from thinking clearly or asking for help.

I also want to share this article from The Epoch Times: 20 Common Scams and How to Spot Them. It covers how artificial intelligence is making scams more sophisticated than ever — and how to protect yourself.

Please share this with elderly parents or grandparents in your life. They are the most targeted — and often the least aware of how advanced these scams have become.

A FIRST AMENDMENT CONCERN WORTH YOUR ATTENTION

In Englewood, New Jersey, a local buffer zone ordinance now restricts prayer and sidewalk counseling within eight feet of abortion clinic entrances. A Catholic pro-life woman who has peacefully prayed and offered help to women outside a clinic for over 15 years has challenged this law all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court — arguing it violates her First Amendment rights.

This kind of restriction is already spreading to other cities. What happens in one place has a way of coming to a state near you.

Intercessors for America is making it easy to make your voice heard. I encourage you to sign their petition to protect the First Amendment rights of people of faith, and then pray for the leaders who represent you in government.

Click here to sign the petition.

Will you pray with me over both of these things?

Father, I pray that You will expose and bring to justice all those who seek to deceive and defraud. Give us discernment to recognize the truth in every situation and wisdom to protect what You have entrusted to us. And Lord, I pray that You would move in the hearts of our leaders to protect the First Amendment freedoms of people of faith. May prayer grow and be found in new places — in schools, on streets, in gatherings big and small. Let no law silence what You have called us to do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

P.S. Have you had a chance to read my newest COACH MOM book yet? If so, would you take just a minute to leave a review on Amazon? It means so much to those considering the book — and you could be the reason a discouraged foster or adoptive mom finds the truth she needs right now.