Outsmarting the Scammers: Safety Lessons from a Former Investigator
Few things are emergencies that need to be solved immediately. Slow down and call back on a number you look up yourself to confirm there is an emergency.
Rose Hill owner Matt Koncar spent years as a St. Paul Police Elder Abuse Investigator. If there’s one thing he knows, it’s that scammers are always "hiring" new technology.
In 2026, AI-voice cloning has become a primary tool for the "Grandparent Scam." You might receive a call that sounds exactly like a relative in distress.
How to Protect Yourself:
The "Safe Word": Establish a secret word or phrase with your family that only you know. If they "call" in an emergency, ask for the word.
Slow Down: Scammers rely on urgency. If someone demands money now, it’s a red flag.
Verify, Then Trust: Hang up and call your relative (or whatever business claims to be on the phone) back on their known number.
Matt provides free presentations on fraud prevention for local groups. Protecting our seniors isn't just a service we offer—it’s our mission.
