We need to be aware that internet and phone scams are now making use of AI technologies to produce much more convincing scams. Until recently scams were made obvious by misspellings and language errors and clumsy graphic design. Over recent weeks I've received phishing scam emails of much higher quality. For me the scams were evident because they referred to banks and credit card companies with which I have no accounts.

Rule #1 is to never respond emotionally to any emails or phone calls. Scammers seek to control us by hooking our feelings. Pause, breathe, think, talk with a trusted person.
Rule #2 is never click on any unsolicited email link. This can download malware on your computer.
Rule #3 is contact your bank, payment company, IRS, Social Security, medical provider, etc. via your online account, independently of the frightening email.

As old folks, we can sometimes be easily frightened. We need to have our defenses planned and practiced.
What are other ways we can protect ourselves?