Whether you're helping an aging parent or caring for children who depend on you every day, caregiving can be one of life's most rewarding experiences, but it can also be overwhelming and stressful.

Caregivers are often the first to notice when something doesn’t seem right, whether it’s an unusual request for money, a new “friend” or a change in financial behavior. If you have concerns, you don't have to navigate them alone. We offer tools to help you recognize the warning signs, start the conversation and take action. Before connecting an AI tool, follow these steps:

Things you can do to help:

• Know the warning signs: Scammers target people of all ages. Older adults are often targeted through impersonation and financial scams, while younger people may encounter scams through social media, gaming, online shopping and fraudulent job offers.
• Create a family safe word: A prearranged word or phrase can help verify urgent calls or messages claiming a loved one is in trouble.
• Talk about scams regularly: Create a safe environment where loved ones feel comfortable discussing suspicious messages without fear of embarrassment.
• Establish a trusted contact: Designate someone who can be contacted if suspicious financial activity is detected or if a loved one is at risk of exploitation.
• Stop and verify: Encourage loved ones to pause and verify unexpected requests before sharing information or sending money.
• Review privacy and security settings: Check device and account settings and keep software and apps updated to help protect against the latest security threats.
• Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication: Create strong, unique passwords for every account that have eight or more characters, including letters, numbers and symbols.
• Monitor financial accounts regularly for unusual activity: Manage and monitor accounts from almost anywhere with our mobile app.
   

Caregiving is about more than providing support. It's about helping the people you love stay safe, secure and confident. A few proactive conversations today can help protect your loved ones tomorrow.

Consider scheduling regular check-ins with loved ones to discuss financial safety, online activity and emerging scam trends. Even a brief conversation can help prevent financial loss and emotional harm.