Iowa scams – cybersecurity pro explains what to do

Audio Version

This week, Iowa’s Attorney General cautioned Iowans on a new “grandparent” scam hitting Iowans. Scammers target elderly Iowans by posing as their grand child using social media content or other information. Then they ask for money. Cybersecurity professional Brandon Potter of ProCircular, explains what Iowa scams to look out for in 2025 and how to protect your family.

With AI and voice cloning, scams are going to become more sophisticated. Scammers can clone your loved one’s voice without your knowledge, and even manipulate caller ID. What are Iowans to do, especially as older Iowans who are using the internet more, fall victim to new scams every day?

What is the grandpIowarent scam?

Potter discussed practical strategies for protecting against Iowa scams. threats. With scams like the “grandparent scam” targeting vulnerable groups such as seniors, Potter highlighted actionable measures to safeguard personal and family security.

How does the grandparent scam work?

The grandparent scam involves fraudsters using personal details often found on social media to impersonate family members in distress, such as pretending a grandchild is in legal trouble. These scams frequently originate from overseas call centers and rely on emotional appeals to prompt quick action. Verifying the situation with another family member or trusted contact can help prevent falling victim to these tactics.

“This grandparent scam is really these scammers calling or texting a grandparent with information they might find on social media, where their grandson or granddaughter or grandchild is in trouble,” Potter said. The scammer, posing as a loved one, will request the cash on a very short immediate timeline. It could be for travel, bail money, or anything else.

One listener of The Iowa Podcast reported an elderly loved one lost $5,000 to a scammer. The scammer may have used AI to clone their grandchild’s voice, asking for bail money. According to the listener, the scammer was working with someone locally who came to their house in Iowa to collect the money in cash. For this reason, AI will be a major tool used by scammers.

Potter discussed advancements in artificial intelligence as a major concern in 2025. AI makes it easy for scammers to clone voices and even create realistic video deepfakes. How do you protect against this?

Potter agreed families should establish verification practices, such as placing an outgoing call to a person’s cellphone to verify personally. In some cases it may be wise to establish “safe words” to ensure authenticity when a phone call isn’t possible.

Finance is already using this tactic. “Financial institutions, or consumer businesses that you do business with, are asking “hey, I need to verify if it’s you.” Potter said, “What’s the favorite color of your third cousin’s you know shirt? And then you have to say that right you are using passcode authentication for some of these things.” (edited for clarity)

Scams to watch in Iowa for 2025

The evolving capabilities of AI are creating new challenges, particularly as tools for fraud become more accessible. Deepfakes and number spoofing have made scams harder to detect, emphasizing the need for caution when responding to unsolicited communications.

Potter recommended using password managers like LastPass or Bitwarden to securely store unique passwords and urged individuals to enable multi-factor authentication, especially for critical accounts. Simplifying digital tools for seniors, such as using Chromebooks or curated bookmarks, can also minimize their exposure to scams. Continuous communication and education within families are essential for fostering online safety.

The Fundamentals of Cybersecurity

Potter stressed the importance of basic cybersecurity practices:

• Verification through outbound communication to confirm requests.
• Using unique, secure passwords managed through reliable password vaults.
• Enabling multi-factor authentication for accounts with sensitive information.

By focusing on these fundamentals, individuals can significantly reduce their exposure to cyber risks. For more resources and guidance, visit ProCircular, a Coralville-based cybersecurity firm dedicated to improving organizational security.

This discussion serves as a timely reminder of the importance of vigilance in the digital age. Adhering to simple but effective strategies can provide significant protection against evolving cybersecurity threats.