Updated

Updated · WXLV · Jul 16

Randolph County Sheriff, Library Launch Aug. 12 Internet Safety Session for Seniors

Updated

Updated · WXLV · Jul 16

Randolph County Sheriff, Library Launch Aug. 12 Internet Safety Session for Seniors

Q: With AI now faking family voices, are we teaching seniors to distrust everyone, even their own loved ones?

No. The goal is not to teach seniors to distrust loved ones, but to distrust unverified calls, texts, and videos—even when they sound familiar. That shift is necessary because AI has changed the fraud landscape. Voice cloning can now be built from seconds of audio, and deepfake scams are increasingly convincing. Older Americans are a prime target: people 60 and older reported about $7.7 billion in internet-enabled fraud losses in 2025, and AI-related complaints among that group reached more than 3,100, with losses topping $350 million. Experts say the danger is not just the fake voice itself, but the urgency and secrecy scammers use to stop victims from checking the story. Programs like Randolph County’s sheriff-library workshops are responding to that reality by teaching verification habits, not paranoia. The practical advice is simple: hang up and call back on a known number, never send money because of a single urgent call, and use a family code word or private question for emergencies. That preserves trust by moving it from “I recognize the voice” to “I can confirm the person.” There is a real social cost. Seniors may feel shaken if even a grandchild’s voice can be faked. But experts broadly argue that a “pause and verify” culture is safer than blind trust. The better lesson is not “trust no one.” It is “trust relationships, but verify digital contact.” That is the balance community programs now need to teach.

1 articles · Updated · WXLV · Jul 16

An Aug. 12 session at 2 p.m. will bring Randolph County sheriff’s outreach staff and the public library to the Randleman Senior Center to teach residents how to spot scams and stay safer online.
The program targets a persistent risk: scammers often go after people who have spent years building retirement savings, making fraud awareness and prevention the focus.
Sheriff Greg Seabolt first introduced the effort in July 2023, and the renewed presentation will cover common scams, fraud prevention and ways to protect personal information on the internet.
Residents can track future dates through the Sheriff’s Office news page, the Randolph County Library calendar, social media, phone inquiries or by requesting a presentation.

Sources

WXLV4h ago

Randolph County Sheriff, Library Launch Internet Safety Program on August 12, 2026

With fraud losses in the billions, can local workshops truly protect seniors from sophisticated global cybercrime rings?

While communities teach scam defense, why aren't tech giants required to stop AI-driven fraud at its source?

With AI now faking family voices, are we teaching seniors to distrust everyone, even their own loved ones?

Sources

1 total

WXLV4h ago

Randolph County Sheriff, Library Launch Internet Safety Program on August 12, 2026

Randolph County Sheriff, Library Launch Aug. 12 Internet Safety Session for Seniors

Summary

Sources

Insights

Related Stories

Sources

Related Stories