Information about scams is everywhere, yet the landscape has fundamentally shifted. In 2025, cybercrime hit a record $10.5 trillion in global losses, with nearly $21 billion lost to fraud in the U.S. alone. The goal of this course is to ensure we do not contribute to these losses.

We will begin with the "new normal." Traditional red flags — like poor grammar or spelling — are vanishing. Scammers now use Generative AI to craft perfect messages and AI Voice Cloning to mimic loved ones with staggering accuracy using only three seconds of audio. This course aims to help you become what ethical hacker Rachel Tobac calls "politely paranoid."

We will examine how the estimated $47 billion lost annually is split between classic scamming and high-tech hacking. With AI-enabled fraud surging by over 1,200%, we must thwart both risks. We also address elder financial exploitation by known perpetrators (family, friends and caretakers), a tragically persistent threat.

Each session is designed to help you notice and respond to these patterns before it is too late. We focus less on memorizing details and more on developing safe habits to conserve assets and live alertly but without fear.

When we finish, you will have:

• Awareness of AI-fueled hacking.
• Familiarity with common scam techniques.
• Effective prevention strategies and response resources.
• A personal threat model to monitor, revise and follow.

The course will use lecture, slideshow and lots of discussion.