Groups want more protection from AI scams for Colorado seniors
Colorado advocates are pressing lawmakers and technology companies to do more to stop AI-powered scams aimed at older adults.
The effort is moving beyond public warnings. The "United to Stop Online Scams" coalition said its next phase will focus on state and federal legislation, stronger platform rules and easier ways for victims to report fraud.
Kate Kleinert, a widow who was scammed by someone who posed as a doctor and romanced her online, said before it was over, she had lost more than $39,000. She blamed the high-tech industry.
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"So many of us scam survivors carry so much shame and I'm here to tell you it is not on you, it is on them. Meta, Google, and other tech companies have allowed this to happen for years and made billions from it," Kleinert asserted.
The Colorado push comes as artificial intelligence makes familiar fraud more convincing. Criminals can clone a relative’s voice, build fake videos and produce official-looking ads in seconds. Coalition members want online platforms to verify advertisers, review scam reports quickly and remove repeat offenders. A proposed bill in Colorado and other states would give attorneys general oversight and let consumers sue tech platforms.
Senator Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, was a featured speaker on the program’s national livestream. The Arizona Democrat serves on the Senate Special Committee on Aging. He is promoting two bills. One would put the FBI in charge of a national strategy to combat scams. The other requires AI chatbots and voice assistants to identify themselves. Kelly stressed awareness alone will not stop the growing threat.
"AI can help seniors live more independently but seniors need to know when they're talking to a machine. They need to know what the limits are and how their information is being used to make sure they aren't being scammed or put at risk," Kelly contended.
Colorado has already taken a major step. A new state law allows trained financial workers to pause suspicious transactions involving an older or vulnerable customer, stopping money before it leaves an account. The National Council on Aging reported 77% of older adults faced at least one scam attempt in the past year.
