In the digital age, the internet can be a source of knowledge, connection, curiosity, and convenience, but for many older adults, it can also be a gateway to manipulation and fraud. Scammers often prey on our elders, not just because they believe they can, but because the emotional and financial toll is devastatingly effective.
This article is for everyone who cares about the safety of the older adults in their life: children, grandchildren, caregivers, neighbours, and friends. It's a call to action: not only to protect, but to empower our elders to navigate the online world with dignity, knowledge, and confidence.
Why Older Adults Are Prime Targets
Older adults are often ideal targets for cybercriminals because of a combination of factors: they may be less familiar with evolving technology, more trusting of authority figures, and often isolated from tech-savvy communities. Many grew up in an era when a phone call or letter was assumed to be genuine, so the idea that a message might be a scam isn’t second nature.
Unfortunately, this trust is often exploited. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), Americans over 60 lost more than $4.8 billion to online scams in 2024 in America alone—an increase of over 43% from the year prior (FBI Elder Fraud Report 2024). In Canada, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reports similar trends, with seniors representing one of the most heavily impacted groups.
The Emotional Toll of Scams
For many victims, the financial loss is only part of the story. Shame, fear, and isolation can follow, especially when the scam involves deception from someone pretending to care, like in romance scams. Many older adults don’t report fraud out of embarrassment, or fear that loved ones will judge or take away their independence.
This silence creates a dangerous cycle, where the same individuals are targeted again because they didn’t speak up the first time.
Our role isn’t to shame or scold, but to listen, support, and rebuild confidence. Helping older adults feel safe enough to talk about scams is the first step to stopping them.
Tactics to Watch For
While scams constantly evolve, some patterns persist. Help your loved ones recognize these common tactics:
Each tactic preys on emotion: fear, love, urgency, or generosity. By understanding the emotional manipulation behind the message, older adults can learn to pause and think critically before responding.
Teaching Gently: Building Confidence, Not Fear
Approach cybersecurity conversations with compassion. Many older adults feel overwhelmed or ashamed for not knowing how things work and may be reluctant to ask for help.
Instead of technical jargon, use familiar analogies:
Offer to sit beside them and walk through examples together. Go at their pace. Celebrate their wins, like identifying a suspicious message or using a password manager for the first time.
Above all: reassure them that being unsure is okay. You’re there to help, not to take control. Normalise having them ask for help when they don't understand something. Many elder people believe they’re not naive enough to get caught up in internet scams.
“Cybersecurity for seniors isn’t just about protection—it’s about preserving dignity, independence, and trust in an increasingly digital world.”
Family Empowerment: Encouraging Open Conversations
Make cybersecurity part of regular family conversations, not just a one-time warning. When we speak openly and without blame, older adults are more likely to share when something feels off.
“By creating safe, shame-free spaces for conversation, we empower our elders to ask questions, share concerns, and make confident digital choices.”
Here’s how to start:
These ongoing check-ins build trust and normalize asking questions, before something goes wrong.
Safe Practices That Make a Difference
Simple, proactive habits can go a long way in preventing scams:
If your loved one isn’t confident using security settings, offer to help set things up and explain what each one does.
Community Support: You’re Not Alone
Digital safety doesn’t have to be a solo journey. Libraries, senior centres, and nonprofits across Canada and beyond are stepping up to provide accessible digital literacy programs.
Many offer:
Invite your loved one to attend an event together or introduce them to an online learning series like those from Get Cyber Safe (Canada), Then & Now | Older Adults Workbook - National Cybersecurity Alliance (America), or Cyber Seniors.
On this note, make sure to check out this month’s SANS OUCH Newsletter July: Protecting Our Seniors From Scams, on the same topic. This article series is a great way to keep in touch with all trends related to Security Awareness.
Expert Insight: Building Cyber Confidence in Later Life
[Digital transformation is happening at breakneck speeds, and for seniors, this can be especially overwhelming. We are asking this generation not to trust what they see and hear, but what tools are we giving them to better protect themselves from cyber criminals? Education and awareness campaigns must incorporate strategies that are relevant and delivered at the community level, in an environment that is supportive and empowering. Success sometimes looks like a roomful of seniors who go home after a presentation and strengthen their passwords or enable two-factor authentication—Lina Dabit, Executive Director, Office of the CISO - Optiv Canada, RCMP Cybercrime (retired).
Many older adults are eager to learn but often feel overlooked or overwhelmed by the pace of digital change. As we work to protect our elders online, it’s essential to listen to their lived experiences and recognize the importance of patience, empathy, and tailored support. In this section, we’re honoured to feature insights for seniors from a leading expert in the field of cybercrime awareness and education.
A Human-Centric Closing Thought: Digital Inclusion with Dignity and Trust
The goal of cybersecurity awareness for older adults isn't just protection, it's digital inclusion with dignity. We owe it to our elders to give them the tools, confidence, and community support they need to stay connected and safe. Doing otherwise simply excludes them from the benefits of the world wide web, further isolating them from our digital societies.
A human-centric approach doesn't stop at teaching rules, it's about listening, adapting, and meeting people where they are. It replaces technical fear with confidence and judgment with patience.
When we approach these conversations with empathy, listen without judgment, and celebrate every step forward, we don’t just reduce risk we restore trust. Together, we can scam-proof the golden years by replacing fear with knowledge, and isolation with open dialogue.
Because safety online should never be a luxury reserved for the tech-savvy.
It should be a shared right and a shared responsibility, no matter the stage of life.