There are some things that happen in life that shake us to our core. Worst of all, it can happen in an instant.

The phone rings, it’s your grandson calling and he’s telling you that he’s been involved in an accident; he’s hurt and he needs your help to pay for some of the damage and asks you to send him $1,000 as soon as you can. In that moment, his voice sounds familiar to you and knowing him as you do, you want to help and make sure he’s safe, right? You send him the money.

Unfortunately, it’s not long after that you discover that not only was your grandson not injured, but that it also wasn’t HIM that called. Rather, it was a cybercriminal who was able to engage in a “grandparent scam” by using artificial intelligence (AI) to clone his voice.

And, sadly, here in Indiana and across the country, these criminals are creating fake calls, emails and text messages to convince their victims that a family member is in distress. In doing so, they skillfully express (what appears to be) a genuine sense of urgency, along with some pressure tactics, and unusual payment methods – such as gift cards and wire transfers -- to steal hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, from every single person they target. It’s heartbreaking.

The Justice Department recently announced that it charged 25 people from Quebec, Canada, for allegedly participating in a "Grandparent Scam" that defrauded elderly individuals out of more than $21 million in Vermont and more than 40 other states.

In another case, 13 people were charged in a $5 million elder fraud scheme targeting more than 400 people through fake calls that were generated from the Dominican Republic.

To protect yourself, stay calm, hang up immediately and, according to the Federal Trade Commission, don't trust the voice and, instead, call the person who supposedly contacted you and verify the story. Use a phone number you know is theirs. If you can’t reach the relative allegedly calling you, try to contact other family members or friends who may be able to reach them.

Additionally, people are reminded not to let an unknown caller rush you into a decision, as creating panic is key tactic that is intended for you bypass your critical thinking. Also, be sure to never send money to purchase gift cards or wire transfers to give to someone you don’t know or whose identity you haven’t verified. If, in the event you send any money to someone you suspect is part of a scam, inform your bank or credit card company immediately.

Another important tip is to manage your social media accounts and limit, as much as you can, the personal information that you share publicly, as scammers can use it to make their story more convincing.

If you’re targeted, there are several steps you should take, including:

• Report the incident.
• Contact local law enforcement, your bank, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report the scam.
• It is also recommended that you file a report with the FBI and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

In Indiana, if you suspect you might be a victim of identity theft (whether you’re an individual or part of a business), you are encouraged to visit the “Report a Cyber Incident” page on the Indiana Cyber Hub website.

Knowing that our loved ones will be there when we need them is something that all of us can take to heart and is, no doubt, reassuring. And while it’s true that the sophistication of the tactics cybercriminals use to run their scams continues to grow, it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t trust our instincts to protect ourselves and our loved ones.