Issue: 011

Tech Tips, Tricks & Cybersecurity Advice – No Jargon, Just Help

👋 Hello Again, Trustworthy Human

AI voice cloning is no longer sci-fi — scammers can now mimic your loved ones and trick you with a phone call that sounds exactly like them.

In this issue, we’re breaking down how to spot deepfake scams and protect yourself in a world where you can’t always trust your ears.

🧯 Tech Emergency Prep Kit: Scam-Proof Your Ears 🧏‍♂️

Here’s how to defend against voice clones and AI fakes:

🎭 Establish a family password.
Pick a secret word or phrase to use during emergencies. If someone calls sounding like your grandkid but doesn’t know the code word — hang up.

📵 Don’t trust caller ID.
Scammers can spoof phone numbers to look like they’re from family. Always confirm requests through a second method (text, video chat, etc.).

📹 Prefer video calls when verifying identity.
It’s much harder to fake a full face and voice in real-time — even for scammers. Though soon video AI will even make this difficult soon.

🧠 Stay calm under pressure.
Scammers thrive on panic. If a voice claims there’s an emergency, pause. Breathe. Call a trusted number directly.

💡 Quick Tech Trick

Check your phone’s microphone permissions.
Too many apps are listening in. Go into your settings and disable microphone access for apps that don’t need it.
📱 Settings → Privacy → Microphone → Toggle off unnecessary access.

🧠 Cyber Tip of the Week

Use a PIN or passphrase for your voicemail.
If your carrier doesn’t require one by default, set it manually.
Hackers can spoof your number and break into your voicemail without it.

👂 Trust your instincts — not just the voice on the line.
— Your Grandson Techie