Scammers steal more than money: they can undermine an older adult’s independence and confidence, and erode a sense of safety.

A recent article in The Conversation describes a woman in her seventies who lost approximately $100,000 after criminals convinced her to “protect” her savings by moving them into cryptocurrency.

Myself, in my private practice, I'm encountering seniors who're being scammed by aggressors video-calling on FaceTime, pressuring them into handing over money -- even threatening violence.

These kinds of attacks are becoming more pervasive through the use of AI.

Retirement savings make older adults attractive targets, while isolation and unfamiliar technology can give criminals an opening.

So how can you protect yourself and the people you love?

First, teach how to pause. Pause before paying; pause before making changes; pause to ask for help. Pause to hang up, independently verify unexpected requests, and consult someone you trust. Never share verification codes or move money because a caller demands secrecy or immediate action. Circumvent urgency through pausing.

Second, reinforce community. Families and friends should check in with each other regularly without blame or judgment. Compassion helps people speak up sooner and get help faster. Building that rapport now will go a long way when an actual cyber-incident hits you.

Third, react constructively. If fraud occurs, contact the bank immediately, preserve messages and receipts, and report it at IC3.gov. You can also contact Technoactivism for help and guidance.

I'd like to encourage everyone to take a look at our first onground Digital Safety Clinic scheduled for Saturday December 5, 2026. Please RSVP! Knowing how to effectively respond to scams within your family can help keep others safe and reduce the damage and risk of fraud.

R

This is Lindsay!

Lindsay ran into a jam the other day. Their mobile phone fell out of their control and they needed a way to stay in contact with friends and family. They contacted Technoactivism through a word-of-mouth referral for help.

Well, we hopped right to it! We had a spare laptop in our refurb inventory. We wiped it, configured it, and dropped it off at Lindsay's residence that very afternoon. Within four hours of contacting Technoactivism, we had a solution in their hands that worked perfectly with her Gmail account.

This is what Technoactivism is for -- leveraging resources to help those of our community in need. Sometimes, a spare laptop is more than a piece of equipment. It’s a lifeline to the people who matter most. With your support, we can turn donated tech into practical help for neighbors like Lindsay, right when they need it.

If you've got old, spare equipment that you'd like safely disposed of and potentially recycled for use in our programs, please reach out to us! We'd be happy to help!

R