Grandmother scammed out of money intended to support her autistic grandson.

[Jumpinbare]

A grandmother,thinking she was chatting with a well known autism doctor, was scammed out of her life savings. She is 82 and was trying to set up a finances to support her autistic grandson who is unable to take care of himself.

A Gofundme account has been set up for the grandson.
PM me if you are interested in the link.

 

[Metalhead]

That scammer should be stuffed into the belly of the brazen bull.

 

[Judge]

So many of the prey upon us old folks. Just another reason why I will make no contact at all over the phone with unknown callers of any kind.

Always amusing to close the connection without saying a word, and then a few minutes later suddenly I get another call with the caller is showing a completely different number.

 

[Jumpinbare]

So many of the prey upon us old folks. Just another reason why I will make no contact at all over the phone with unknown callers of any kind.

Always amusing to close the connection without saying a word, and then a few minutes later suddenly I get another call with the caller is showing a completely different number.

I tie them up with nonsense so their time is wasted and they can't scam as many people

 

[Judge]

I tie them up with nonsense so their time is wasted and they can't scam as many people

The more you talk to some of them, the greater the possibility they can use AI to digitally reproduce your voice. It's not worth the risk these days.

I give them NOTHING at all to work with. Keeping in mind they're criminals. Where some might just not only get mad, but attempt to get even and on their terms. Most of them are likely to be no more than mere white collar criminals...but you never know for sure. Some perhaps with connections to certain organizations who may not be so professionally understanding.

AI can steal your voice, and there's not much you can do about it

 

[Outdated]

The more you talk to some of them, the greater the possibility they can use AI to digitally reproduce your voice. It's not worth the risk these days.

The Australian Government uses AI voice recognition in many of it's departments now, when the government wants you to sign a contract or agreement it's done over the phone and a clear statement "Yes, I agree with those terms." is used as a signature. I had to leave a sample of my voice with the government first to enable that feature but it sure is handy. Voice recognition is more foolproof than facial recognition or actual written signatures.

 

[NB79]

I feel bad saying this but my mom has a tendency of buying 'expensive scam' products, those that are advertised to be very good, etc, but is all inflated propaganda with lies etc.
They did to her the "tale of uncle" several times already.

 

[Rodafina]

Does it make a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad person to distrust the GoFundMe, too? It feels cruel, but the state of the world has made me cynical.

 

[cooljethro]

Does it make a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad person to distrust the GoFundMe, too? It feels cruel, but the state of the world has made me cynical.

I am always weary of GoFundMe pleas/stories too.

I think it is normal to be cynical with the state of the world, as you say.

 

[Outdated]

Does it make a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad person to distrust the GoFundMe, too? It feels cruel, but the state of the world has made me cynical.

There was a lot of very intense suspicion here when a GoFundMe was started to raise money as a thank you to Ahmed Al Ahmed, the celebrated Bondi hero.

The fund was started by a car salesman and everyone was unsure about it but it turned out to be genuine with admin from GoFundMe confirming that the money would only be given to the intended recipient.

I think he's still a little bit out of it from the anaesthetic in this video. "I deserve this? How?"

 

[Metalhead]

Does it make a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad person to distrust the GoFundMe, too? It feels cruel, but the state of the world has made me cynical.

I did once read a news article about a guy now serving time in prison for faking a cancer diagnosis to swindle money for treatment he never had on GoFundMe.

 

[Masked Man]

I am not sure I believe this story. I know, I am cynical. There are too many scams out there.

Edit: Well, I guess it's true, I just watched the Florida evening news report on it.

Best thing to do is not give your money to people who are online. If you're not going to see a doctor in a physical, brick-and-mortar location, be suspicious.

 

[Judge]

Voice recognition is more foolproof than facial recognition or actual written signatures.

More foolproof as opposed to less foolproof ? In other words, nothing is absolutely foolproof.

Never underestimate the power of crime over technological advancement. To consider why government and their arms of law enforcement are so often behind the curve of technological crimes, always attempting to catch up but never really quite there. No matter what assertions they may make publicly.

IMO to claim much of anything being "foolproof" amounts to a false sense of security. It's why the best software developers never sit on their laurels regarding the security of their own creations. Forever producing updates with at best a hope of remaining ahead of the curve rather than behind it.

Remain Vigilant. Remain skeptical. This isn't paranoia. It's simply reality in the 21st century. To never takes claims of absolute security for granted. Science itself is just a benchmark for what humanity thinks it understands at a certain point in time. Then consider that technology can "turn on a dime" in terms of improvement or obsolescence. And as long as it all is in the hands of humans, IMO perfection will always be beyond our grasp.

Especially if and when claimed by government. - Any government.