Consumer Protection

DOJ & HHS Say 'Never EVER' to Imposter Scams Targeting Your Parents

Billions Vanish as Sophisticated AI Scams Exploit Trust; New Campaign Fights Back

By Neil D'Monte, Palmelle Editorial Team · Reviewed by Neil D'Monte · 7 min read · 2026-07-02

SHORT ANSWER

The 'Never EVER' campaign by DOJ and HHS combats a surge in AI imposter scams, like voice cloning, targeting seniors, which caused over $7.7 billion in losses in 2025.

The direct answer

The Department of Justice (DOJ) and Health and Human Services (HHS) have launched the "Never EVER" campaign to combat a surge in imposter scams targeting older Americans, with reported losses exceeding a staggering $7.7 billion in 2025

. This national initiative confronts the alarming rise in elder fraud, specifically highlighting the sophisticated tactics like AI-powered voice cloning and cryptocurrency demands that prey on seniors' trust and financial assets. Scammers are now using deepfake audio to impersonate loved ones in distress, creating urgent situations that bypass rational thought. One report detailed a 19-year-old paying $1,000 after hearing a cloned voice of his sister in a fabricated emergency

. The FBI notes the ever-evolving nature of these scams, from fake social media profiles to AI-generated content, emphasizing the need for constant vigilance

. The "Never EVER" campaign aims to equip seniors and their families with the knowledge to identify and reject these fraudulent schemes before irreversible financial damage occurs.

The AI Arms Race Against Your Grandparents

The threat landscape has shifted dramatically. Scammers are no longer relying on tired phishing emails; they're deploying advanced AI tools to create convincing impersonations. Voice cloning technology, for instance, has seen an astonishing 1,300% increase in use over a single year, with one report indicating that 1 in 10 adults worldwide has been targeted by such scams

. These aren't just abstract threats; they are deeply personal attacks. Imagine receiving a call from what sounds exactly like your grandchild, pleading for money after a fabricated emergency

. The FBI acknowledges this evolution, noting AI-generated content and voice cloning as key tactics in their 2025 Internet Crime Complaint Report

. This sophisticated deception, often referred to as 'deepfake vishing,' is becoming the fastest-growing attack vector

Beyond the 'Grandparent Scam': New Demands, New Tactics

While familiar scams like the 'grandparent scam' persist, the methods have become far more insidious. The 'Never EVER' campaign is directly addressing the rise of imposter schemes that demand immediate action, often involving cryptocurrency payments. Scammers leverage the fear and urgency created by AI-generated voices or deepfake videos to pressure victims into sending money before they can verify the situation. This isn't about a simple password reset; these are high-stakes ruses designed to exploit emotional responses. The FBI's 2025 report highlights the 'ever-evolving tactics of internet scammers,' which now include sophisticated AI applications

. The speed at which these scams operate, coupled with the demand for untraceable payment methods like cryptocurrency, makes them particularly devastating.

The $7.7 Billion Price Tag of Trust Exploited

The financial impact of these imposter scams is staggering. In 2025 alone, reported losses from elder fraud, particularly those involving sophisticated AI tactics like deepfakes, reached over $7.7 billion

. This figure represents not just lost money but the erosion of trust and the profound emotional distress experienced by victims and their families. The FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Complaint Report underscores the scale of this problem, detailing how cybercriminals are continuously adapting their methods

. This surge in financial losses is a direct consequence of the increasing accessibility and effectiveness of AI-powered scamming tools. The 'Never EVER' campaign's focus on combating these specific, high-yield schemes is a critical, albeit overdue, response to this escalating crisis.

A SCENE

Evelyn, 78, was enjoying her morning coffee when her phone rang. It was her son, David. Or rather, it sounded exactly like him – his familiar cadence, the slight rasp in his voice. 'Mom, I'm in trouble,' the voice on the other end said, sounding panicked. 'I got into a car accident, and I need money for bail. The police are here, and I can't use my credit card. You have to send it now, through crypto.' Evelyn's heart leaped into her throat. David had always been a bit reckless, and the thought of him in jail was terrifying. She asked a few clarifying questions, but the 'David' on the phone grew more insistent, his voice cracking with manufactured distress. 'Mom, please, they're going to arrest me! Just send the Bitcoin to this address. Don't tell anyone, they said not to tell anyone!' Evelyn, flustered and scared, remembered seeing a news report about scams, but this sounded so real. She was about to log into her crypto account when her daughter, Sarah, walked in. Seeing Evelyn's distress, Sarah asked what was wrong. Evelyn explained the situation, and Sarah immediately pulled out her phone. 'Mom, that's not David. That's a scam. Listen to this.' Sarah played a voice clip of David laughing from a recent family video call. It was unmistakably David, but the voice on the phone was a chillingly accurate imitation. The 'accident' and 'bail' were a lie, a sophisticated deepfake designed to exploit Evelyn's love and fear. The 'Never EVER' campaign aims to equip individuals like Evelyn with the tools to pause, question, and verify before acting on such urgent, emotionally charged calls.

Common mistakes

Assuming seniors are inherently less tech-savvy.
While some may be, the primary threat is the overwhelming sophistication of AI, which can fool anyone. The campaign needs to acknowledge that even the most digitally adept can be tricked by hyper-realistic fakes.
Focusing solely on 'awareness' without actionable tools.
Simply telling people to 'be aware' is insufficient against AI voice cloning and deepfakes. The 'Never EVER' campaign needs to provide concrete steps and verification methods beyond just 'hang up.'
Underestimating the speed and emotional manipulation tactics.
Scammers create artificial urgency. The campaign must emphasize the importance of resisting immediate demands and the specific red flags of AI-generated urgency, not just general scam indicators.

PALMELLE'S VIEW

In our view, the conventional wisdom that older Americans are simply 'vulnerable' to scams misses the point entirely. This isn't about a lack of awareness; it's about the unprecedented sophistication of the attacks. Scammers are leveraging AI to create hyper-realistic impersonations, making even the most cautious individuals question their reality

. The DOJ and HHS 'Never EVER' campaign is a necessary, albeit reactive, step. The sheer scale of losses—$7.7 billion in 2025 alone

—demands more than just public service announcements. It requires a fundamental shift in how we approach digital security for our elders, moving beyond 'be careful' to proactive, tech-enabled defenses.

BOTTOM LINE

Before sending any money requested via an urgent phone call, hang up and independently call the person you believe is asking for it using a known, trusted phone number.

WHEN THIS CHANGES

The advice will need to evolve as AI technology advances. If scams begin to incorporate more sophisticated visual deepfakes in real-time video calls, or if new payment methods become prevalent targets, the campaign's messaging and recommended verification steps will need to be updated accordingly. The core principle of 'pause and verify' will remain, but the specific methods of verification might change.

Frequently asked

What is the 'Never EVER' campaign?

It's a national initiative by the DOJ and HHS to combat imposter scams targeting older Americans. It focuses on educating seniors about sophisticated tactics like AI voice cloning and deepfakes, urging them to 'Never EVER' act on urgent, unverified requests for money or personal information.

How are scammers using AI in these attacks?

Scammers use AI, specifically voice cloning technology, to create highly realistic audio impersonations of trusted individuals, like family members. They then use these cloned voices to make urgent pleas for money, often citing fabricated emergencies such as accidents or arrests.

Why are seniors particularly targeted?

While these scams can affect anyone, seniors are often targeted due to a combination of factors: perceived financial stability, a greater likelihood of having savings, and sometimes, a greater inclination to trust authority figures or familial requests. The sophisticated AI tactics, however, are designed to bypass these assumptions.