https://thefamilyword.com/blog Reporting and explainers on AI voice-clone scams targeting older parents — from The Family Word. en-US Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT thefamilyword.com https://thefamilyword.com/blog/tech-support-refund-scam https://thefamilyword.com/blog/tech-support-refund-scam Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Scam explainers A tech support refund scam uses a pop-up, a remote-access session, and a fake overpayment to trick a parent into mailing cash. Here is how to stop it. hello@thefamilyword.com (Ryan T. Murphy) https://thefamilyword.com/blog/bank-impersonation-scam https://thefamilyword.com/blog/bank-impersonation-scam Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Scam explainers A bank impersonation scam uses caller ID spoofing to pose as your bank's fraud department. Here is how the call goes and the one-line defense that ends it. hello@thefamilyword.com (Ryan T. Murphy) https://thefamilyword.com/blog/gift-card-secure-your-account-scam https://thefamilyword.com/blog/gift-card-secure-your-account-scam Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Scam explainers A gift card scam is when an imposter demands Apple, Google Play, or Target cards to "secure your account." Here is how the call goes and how to stop it. hello@thefamilyword.com (Ryan T. Murphy) https://thefamilyword.com/blog/ssa-imposter-real-names https://thefamilyword.com/blog/ssa-imposter-real-names Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Scam explainers A Social Security imposter scam is a call from someone pretending to be SSA. In 2026 the criminals are using real employee names and forged badges. Here is the fix. hello@thefamilyword.com (Ryan T. Murphy) https://thefamilyword.com/blog/grandparent-scam-2026 https://thefamilyword.com/blog/grandparent-scam-2026 Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Scam explainers The grandparent scam in 2026 now uses a cloned voice and a courier at the door. Here is the three-call sequence and the kitchen-table fix. hello@thefamilyword.com (Ryan T. Murphy) https://thefamilyword.com/blog/crypto-atm-scam https://thefamilyword.com/blog/crypto-atm-scam Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Scam explainers A Bitcoin ATM scam is an imposter call that routes a parent to a crypto kiosk. Here is the five-step pattern and the family rule that stops it. hello@thefamilyword.com (Ryan T. Murphy) https://thefamilyword.com/blog/what-is-an-ai-voice-clone-scam https://thefamilyword.com/blog/what-is-an-ai-voice-clone-scam Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Scam explainers An AI voice clone scam is a phone call using a synthesized voice to pose as your family in an emergency. Here is the five-step pattern and the fix. hello@thefamilyword.com (Ryan T. Murphy) https://thefamilyword.com/blog/ultimate-guide https://thefamilyword.com/blog/ultimate-guide Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Educational Protect older parents from AI voice-clone scams. How cloning works, the inside story that beats it, and a five-minute family setup at the kitchen table. hello@thefamilyword.com (Ryan T. Murphy) https://thefamilyword.com/blog/ftc-alerts https://thefamilyword.com/blog/ftc-alerts Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT FTC alerts What the latest FTC imposter-scam alert means for families with older parents. The numbers, the patterns, and the kitchen-table fix worth knowing this week. hello@thefamilyword.com (Ryan T. Murphy) https://thefamilyword.com/blog/expert-q-and-a https://thefamilyword.com/blog/expert-q-and-a Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Educational Why a shared family story works. Research on specificity, calm, and the inside story that defeats an AI voice-clone scam against older parents. hello@thefamilyword.com (Ryan T. Murphy) https://thefamilyword.com/blog/three-seconds https://thefamilyword.com/blog/three-seconds Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Scam explainers Three seconds of public audio is enough to clone any voice. How social-media clips become AI scam-call training data, and a five-minute exposure audit. hello@thefamilyword.com (Ryan T. Murphy) https://thefamilyword.com/blog/after-the-call https://thefamilyword.com/blog/after-the-call Sun, 24 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Educational What to do in the first hour after a suspected AI voice-clone call: stop the money, tell the family, file the FTC and FBI reports. A printable checklist. hello@thefamilyword.com (Ryan T. Murphy) https://thefamilyword.com/blog/the-word https://thefamilyword.com/blog/the-word Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Educational How to choose a family story that holds up under stress: what to avoid, the kitchen-table conversation that sets it up, and why the simplest shared memories win. hello@thefamilyword.com (Ryan T. Murphy) https://thefamilyword.com/blog/hotline https://thefamilyword.com/blog/hotline Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Educational The Family Word hotline is a private number that rings the family members you chose at setup. How the routing works, when to call it, and Year 2 costs. hello@thefamilyword.com (Ryan T. Murphy) https://thefamilyword.com/blog/ftc-q1 https://thefamilyword.com/blog/ftc-q1 Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT FTC alerts The quarterly FTC Sentinel Network read for families: imposter scams remain the most-reported fraud category. What changed and what to do this week. hello@thefamilyword.com (Ryan T. Murphy)