Good News for Coffee Drinkers
STUDY LINKS COFFEE WITH IMPROVED LIVER HEALTH
Government / Legislative Update
SENATE FOCUSING ON AI-BASED SCAMS
The US Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing entitled “Hearing to Examine the AI Deception Machine, Focusing on Deepfakes, Chatbots, and the New Frontier of Senior Fraud” on July 29. The hearing examined how artificial intelligence is being used to facilitate fraud targeting older Americans. It occurred as federal authorities continue to enforce new legislation targeting AI-generated scams. This committee released its annual fraud report on July 10th, highlighting the growing number of schemes focused on at-risk seniors. This year’s report underscores the alarming rise in these frauds, particularly sophisticated scams that utilize artificial intelligence. Late last month, the Special Committee on Aging announced the introduction of the Aging with Artificial Intelligence Act of 2026, directing federal research on how artificial intelligence tools, including chatbots and voice assistants, impact vulnerable adults. According to cybersecurity researchers, generative AI tools are creating significant challenges for detecting fraud by making sophisticated digital impersonation easier to create and more difficult to identify. Older adults, especially isolated seniors who live alone, remain especially vulnerable to imposter, romance, and investment scams. At EverSafe, we are using AI to shut down AI-enabled systems, and have added CATCH email monitoring to focus on scams that are generated via artificial intelligence.
Scam Alert
CAPTCHA SCAMS ARE ESCALATING
At EverSafe, we do our best to keep our members informed about the most current scams. One of the newest is a phishing scam involving CAPTCHA. What is CAPTCHA? It stands for: Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart. It is a security test used by websites to prove you are a real human and not a Screenshot of Captchacomputer program or bot. You’ll likely recognize CAPTCHA as the software that asks you to complete a simple test to “prove that you are human” and not a scammer or robot trying to break into a password-protected account. CAPTCHA tests are usually composed of two simple parts: a randomly generated sequence of letters or numbers that appear as a distorted image, and a text box. To pass the test and prove you are indeed human, you simply type the characters you see in the image into the text box. Other CAPTCHA tests ask you to identify images of things like fire hydrants or traffic lights.
There is a new phishing scam that looks a lot like the CAPTCHA requests you might be used to seeing. The phony CAPTCHA requests could wind up installing malware on your device. Here is how they work:
You get an unexpected CAPTCHA request while perusing a website or making a purchase on a phony platform. You then get a standard verification box. The screen may look like a legitimate CAPTCHA that you have seen before, asking you to verify that you’re human. But the message directs the unwitting user to type a series of commands – like “Windows + R,” then “Ctrl + V,” and then “Enter.” The screen might say “security verification,” but you’re actually following the steps to paste and run hidden malware on your device. Once it’s there, scammers could quickly steal your email account login data, mobile banking credentials, or other sensitive information.
Real CAPTCHAs won’t direct you to run commands on your device. If you notice something downloading to your device after responding to a CAPTCHA, act quickly to remove the malware and protect yourself. The FTC advises you to:
- Disconnect from the internet. This will stop fraudsters from accessing your online shopping and financial accounts.
- Run a security scan to remove the malware. Keep your software and apps up to date to catch viruses.
- Change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication (using a different device) as quickly as possible in the event that the malware already gave the hacker access to your accounts.
If you believe your device has been infected, you should also consider having it cleaned by a certified specialist that provides this service. And if you spot a CAPTCHA or pop-up that you think is trying to spread malware, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Legislation Supporting Senior Happy Hours?
MINNESOTA LEADS THE WAY
Anita LeBrun, an 82-year-old grandmother, always appreciated her glass of pinot grigio with family members before dinner. But when she moved into an assisted living facility in Minnesota, she was precluded from enjoying this happy hour ritual because the facility lacked a liquor license. A social presence at her new abode, LeBrun decided to do something about it by joining the mission to change the law. After testifying twice before the Minnesota state legislature, she shared a toast with Governor Walz this month for a ceremonial signing of what’s been named the “Grandparents’ Happy Hour” bill. The law became effective earlier this month, and permits Minnesota assisted living facilities and nursing homes to serve alcohol to residents and their guests for special events without a license, as long as the state is notified beforehand. “I’m very proud, because everybody’s so excited about it,” says LeBrun, adding that her fellow residents found the restrictions “ridiculous.” Cheers to Ms. LeBrun and Minnesota!
