How to Protect Elderly Family Members from Online Scams

Adults over 60 lose an estimated $3.4 billion to scams annually. They're targeted because they often have savings, are less familiar with digital threats, and are too polite to hang up on callers. But protecting them doesn't mean taking away their devices.

Have the Conversation Early

Don't wait until they've been scammed. Have a gentle, non-judgmental conversation about common scams. Focus on specific examples rather than general warnings. 'Did you know people are getting fake texts from the IRS?' is more effective than 'Be careful online.'

Set Up Call Screening

Most scams targeting seniors start with a phone call. Enable call screening on their phone to filter out robocalls and unknown numbers. On iPhone, enable 'Silence Unknown Callers.' On Android, use the built-in call screening feature.

Create a Verification Rule

Establish a simple rule: 'Before you send money, pay a fee, or share personal information with anyone, call me first.' Make it easy for them to check with you without feeling embarrassed.

Bookmark Important Sites

Set up bookmarks for their bank, email, and shopping sites. Teach them to always use bookmarks instead of clicking links in emails or texts. This simple habit prevents most phishing attacks.

• •Install an ad blocker to reduce exposure to scam ads
• •Set up two-factor authentication on their email and banking
• •Review their browser extensions and remove unnecessary ones
• •Check their recent transactions monthly for unauthorized charges
• •Show them how to use ScamCheckr to verify suspicious messages

The goal is empowerment, not restriction. Help them recognize scams so they can protect themselves — and feel confident doing so.