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This Month’s Trending Topics

AI Scams: What to Watch For

Artificial intelligence is making scams more convincing and harder to recognize. Scammers can now clone a family member’s voice, create realistic photos and videos, write professional-looking messages, and impersonate businesses or government agencies in ways that can appear remarkably legitimate. As a result, many of the traditional warning signs that once made scams easier to identify may be much harder to spot.

Common AI-Enhanced Scams

  • Family emergency scams: A call may sound exactly like a child or grandchild claiming to be in an accident, kidnapped or in legal trouble.
  • Romance scams: Fake identities, photos, messages and even video calls can be created to build convincing online relationships.
  • Government or financial impersonation: Scammers may pose as the IRS, Social Security Administration, FBI, a bank or another trusted organization.
  • Investment scams: AI-generated websites, videos, testimonials or celebrity endorsements can make fraudulent investments appear legitimate.
  • Tech-support and account scams: A caller or message may claim your computer, Amazon account, bank account or other account has been compromised and offer to “help.”

Red Flags to Watch For

Be especially cautious when someone:

  • Creates a sense of urgency, fear or panic.
  • Tells you to keep the situation secret or not discuss it with family or your financial advisor.
  • Requests payment using cryptocurrency, Bitcoin ATMs, gift cards, wire transfers or cash.
  • Asks you to move money to a “safe” or “protected” account.
  • Wants you to stay on the phone while withdrawing or transferring money.
  • Discourages you from independently verifying who they are.

 

Simple Ways to Help Protect Yourself

  • Stop and verify. Don't rely solely on a familiar voice, video, caller ID, email address or text message.
  • Call the person yourself. If a family member appears to be in trouble, hang up and call them or another relative using a number you already know. If the request involves your finances or investment accounts, contact us or your bank directly using a trusted number.
  • Create a family safe word. Pick a word or phrase only close family members know that can be used to verify an emergency.
  • Never act immediately. Legitimate organizations will give you time to verify a request.
  • Protect your accounts. Use strong passwords or passkeys, multifactor authentication and transaction alerts.
  • Limit personal information online. Details about family, travel, jobs, birthdays and hobbies can help scammers create more believable stories.
  • Ask someone you trust. Before sending a large or unusual payment, talk with a family member or other trusted person.

If You Think You've Been Scammed

Act quickly. Contact your bank or financial institution immediately. The sooner a fraudulent transaction is reported, the better the chance of stopping or recovering the funds. You can also report internet-related fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.

If you ever receive an unusual request involving your investments or financial accounts, please call our office before taking action.

Medicare Open Enrollment Is Coming

Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026.  During this period, Medicare beneficiaries can review their current coverage and make changes for 2027.

Why review your coverage?

Even if you are happy with your current plan, it’s a good idea to review it each year. Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans can change from year to year, including:

  • Monthly premiums, deductibles and copays
  • Prescription drug coverage and costs
  • Doctors, hospitals and pharmacies in the plan's network
  • Additional benefits offered by Medicare Advantage plans

What should you do?

  • Watch your mail: Your current plan should send an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) outlining changes for 2027.
  • Review your prescriptions: Make sure your medications remain covered and compare your expected costs for next year.
  • Check your providers: If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, confirm that your preferred doctors and hospitals will remain in-network.
  • Compare your options: Even if your current coverage continues to work well for you, it is worth reviewing any changes for the coming year, especially with Medicare Advantage plans, where benefits, provider networks, and costs can change annually. 
  • Don't wait until December: Give yourself time to evaluate your choices and ask questions before the December 7 deadline.

Bottom line: Medicare coverage isn't something to simply “set and forget.” A brief annual review can help ensure your coverage continues to fit your healthcare needs and budget.

We’re happy to welcome Lindsey back to the office after being away for the summer. Lindsey is now a senior at The Ohio State University and will continue working with us throughout the school year. Many of you have had the opportunity to meet or interact with Lindsey, and we’re excited to have her back as she continues to learn and gain experience in the financial planning profession.

As always, please reach out if there is anything with which we can help.

 

This material is meant for general illustration and/or informational purposes only.  Views expressed in this newsletter may not reflect the views of Osaic Wealth, Inc.  It is our goal to help investors by identifying changing market conditions.  However, investors should be aware that no financial advisor can accurately predict all of the changes that may occur in the market.   This material should not be relied upon as investment advice.  Investors should note that there are risks inherent in all investments, such as fluctuations in investment principal.   There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will outperform a non-diversified portfolio in any given market environment. This article contains forward looking statements and projections.  Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  Neither Osaic Wealth, Inc. nor its representatives provide tax or legal advice.  If you don’t wish to receive marketing emails from this sender, please reply to this email with the word REMOVE in the subject line.