By Pooja Marwah
My parents received a letter from me. Sounds normal, right? Except – I never wrote it.
Yet, there it was, signed with my name. Even stranger, it included a personal anecdote, one we used within our family growing up—something we always believed was ours alone. They were convinced no one else could have known about it. But as someone immersed in the creator ecosystem, I knew better. In today’s world, everything we say or do is being watched, recorded, and replicated. Ever talked casually about a trip to Bali, only to find your phone suddenly flooded with hotel recommendations and travel ads?
The letter was an AI-generated scam—eerily convincing, dangerously deceptive, and a chilling reminder of the times we live in. Artificial Intelligence has revolutionised our lives—streamlining businesses, fuelling creativity, and making the impossible possible. But with its halo comes the horn. Scammers now wield AI to replicate voices, generate deepfake videos, and fabricate entire conversations that feel disturbingly real. Imagine your loved ones receiving a desperate call from “you”, pleading for financial help. Or, seeing a video of you endorsing a fraudulent scheme you’ve never heard of. We are entering an era where our most valuable asset—our identity—can be stolen, copied, and manipulated with terrifying ease.
Just as parents teach their children a secret code to identify a trusted adult, we now need a digital equivalent: a safe word. A safe word is a confidential phrase only close family members know—simple yet impossible to guess. The rule is straightforward: if you ever get a suspicious call, text, or email from a loved one, ask for the safe word. No safe word, no action.
AI scams are evolving rapidly, and so must our ability to detect them. Fraudsters prey on emotion—fear, urgency, excitement—because emotional reactions override logical thinking. That’s why scams often begin with frantic messages like: “Mom, I’m in trouble! Please send money!” or “Your account has been compromised! Click here to reset your password.” By taking a deep breath and verifying before reacting, we strip scammers of their biggest weapon—panic.
To stay safe, always verify unexpected requests through multiple channels. If a relative calls claiming they’re in distress, hang up and call them back directly. If an email seems off, confirm through another platform. If a message asks for money or sensitive data, assume it’s a scam until proven otherwise. Digital hygiene is equally critical. The details we casually share—birthdays, pet names, vacation spots, childhood memories—are breadcrumbs scammers use to craft convincing lies. Limiting what we reveal online and securing accounts with strong, unique passwords can make all the difference.
We are entering a world where AI can convincingly mimic our voice, face, and words. But one thing technology cannot replicate is real trust. One day, we may find ourselves battling not for our possessions, but for our very identity. The question is—how do we safeguard what makes us us? The answer lies in vigilance, preparation, and human connection. Technology can be manipulated, but trust—real trust—cannot. A simple safe word, a healthy dose of skepticism, and the habit of verifying before believing might just be what keeps our families safe in the age of digital deception.
So, the next time you receive a shocking call, email, or video—pause. Chances are, it isn’t real.
(Pooja Marwah is an award winning author and Blogger. She writes an contemporary living and offers incisive reflections on the world around us. Her blog, Random Conversations is a go to guide to deal with the myraid stuggles we face each day.)
