AI – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly handout
Quick Reference: Is This Real or a Scam?
✅ Legitimate organizations will never pressure you to act within minutes
✅ Banks and government agencies don’t ask for gift cards or bitcoin as payment
✅ You can always hang up and call back using a number from an official statement or website
⚠️ If a call, text, or video makes you feel panicked, that feeling itself is a warning sign
The “S.L.O.W.” Checklist
Stop — don’t act immediately, especially under pressure.
Look — check the sender’s actual email address or phone number, not just the display name.
Outside check — call the person or company back using a number you already trust, not one provided in the message.
Wait — ask a family member or friend before sending money or personal information.
Where to Report Fraud or Scams
National fraud/elder abuse hotline: 833-372-8311 or https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/elder-fraud-abuse/national-elder-fraud-hotline
Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) of Rogue Valley – 541-618-7572 or https://rvcog.org/home/sds-2/about-us-3/adrc/
Jackson County non‑emergency line: 541-776‑7206
Family Safe Word
Create this with your whole family: “Our family’s safe word/phrase is: ______________________”
If someone claiming to be a family member calls asking for money or whatever and cannot say this word/phrase, hang up and call the family member back directly.
Useful Links
https://scamwise.com/ – either visit their website or download their app and use it to check for scams
Another scam tracker: https://bbbmarketplacetrust.org/scamtracker/
BBB® Scam Prevention Guide – https://www.bbb.org/all/scam-prevention
National Elder Fraud Hotline – https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/elder-fraud-abuse/national-elder-fraud-hotline or 833-372-8311
AARP Fraud Watch – 877-908-3360
Common Scams and Warning Signs – https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/stop-elder-fraud/common-scams-and-warning-signs
Rogue Seniors contact for follow-up questions: David Spinney – rogueseniors@gmail.com