November 11, 2026 · by David Gilbert · 3 min read · Security & Scams
Scammers frequently target older people, who may be more trusting, less familiar with the latest tricks, or simply more isolated and easier to catch off guard. If you have elderly parents, grandparents, or relatives, helping protect them from scams is one of the kindest and most valuable things you can do. It doesn't take much — a few caring conversations and some simple safeguards go a long way.
Start With a Gentle Conversation
The most important protection is awareness. Have a friendly, non-patronising chat about the kinds of scams that are out there — fake calls from "the bank" or "the tax office", emails and texts with dodgy links, romance scams, and tech-support scams. Frame it as something that catches everyone out, because it does, so they don't feel singled out or foolish. The goal is to make them comfortable pausing and checking rather than acting on the spot.
Establish Some Simple Rules
A few easy-to-remember rules provide powerful protection. Encourage them to never give out personal details, passwords, or bank information to anyone who contacts them. Reassure them that it's always okay to hang up the phone, and that no genuine organisation will ever pressure them or demand payment in gift cards. Above all, let them know they can always call you to check before doing anything.
Be Their Safe Person to Call
One of the best safeguards is simply being available. If your relative knows they can ring you whenever something seems odd — a strange call, a suspicious email, a request for money — they're far more likely to check before acting. Make it clear you'd much rather get ten unnecessary calls than have them caught out once. Remove any embarrassment from asking.
Set Up Their Devices Safely
A little practical setup helps too. Make sure their computer and phone are kept up to date, have security protection switched on, and use strong passwords. Setting up their devices so that updates happen automatically means one less thing for them to worry about. You might also help them recognise the difference between a genuine alert and a fake pop-up.
Watch for the Warning Signs
Keep a gentle eye out for signs something may be wrong — unusual bank activity, secrecy about phone calls or new "friends" online, sudden requests to buy gift cards, or a new urgency about money. Catching a scam early can limit the damage enormously. Approach any concerns with care and without judgement.
Reassure, Don't Frighten
The aim is to empower, not to scare. You want your relatives to feel confident and in control, not anxious about using technology they enjoy. Striking that balance — cautious but not fearful — keeps them safe while still letting them benefit from staying connected online.
We're Happy to Help
Help Them Recognise Genuine Contact
Part of what makes scams effective is that they impersonate organisations people trust. It helps to explain how genuine organisations actually behave: banks won't ask for full passwords, government agencies won't demand instant payment, and real companies won't threaten arrest. Reassuring your relative that anyone creating panic or urgency is almost certainly not genuine gives them a simple, reliable test. When in doubt, the safest move is always to hang up and call the organisation back on a number they've looked up themselves.
If you'd like help setting up an elderly relative's devices safely, or you're worried they may have been caught out, Your Local Tech Solutions offers patient, friendly, judgement-free support. Get in touch — protecting the people you love is what we're here for.
