Hey Generations Connected Squad,

Trust is the weapon scammers wield most effectively against our elders.

Seriously. My own Grandma almost sent her bank info to a fake "IRS" email yesterday. I stopped her just in time.

It's not because they're naive. Seniors lose BILLIONS every year. Why? Scams change fast. Faster than our elders can keep up. Scammers use trust. They use confusion about new tech.

You can't just react after a close call. You need to be proactive. You need simple steps. Simple steps they can do again and again. Steps YOU can help with.

So today? We're sharing 3 simple ways to lock down their safety and give yourself peace of mind.

We'll cover:

• The crucial 'Pause & Verify' habit (and how to teach it).

• Simple tech settings to block annoying (and dangerous) calls/emails.

• FREE services to spot mail and online scams early.

Let's dive in.

3 Simple Ways To Protect Your Elder From Scams (And Keep Your Sanity)

Want to shield your loved one from scam stress? And losing money? You need a few simple habits.

Scammers love surprise. They love urgency. They use trust against people.

These steps fight back. Simple. Repeatable.

Here's how:

#1: Teach The "Pause & Verify" Habit

Imagine getting these calls/texts/emails:

• "IRS calling! Pay back taxes NOW or else!"

• "Bank alert! Account compromised! Verify info IMMEDIATELY!"

• "Grandchild here! In trouble! Need gift card codes FAST!"

This is the scammer's #1 weapon: URGENCY. It makes people panic. Not think straight. Just because they SAY "Act NOW!" doesn't mean it's real. They WANT panic.

So? The best defense? Teach Pause & Verify. Here’s how:

Get ANY message asking for money? Info (bank, SSN, passwords)? Gift cards?

First step: STOP. Hang up. Close the email. Close the text. Breathe (10 slow breaths helps).

NEVER EVER use the phone number or link THEY gave you. NO. Use a number YOU know is real.

Back of the bank card? Your family list on the fridge? Call THAT number. Check the story.

Practice this! Role-play a scam call. Make that fridge list. Teach them to say: "Let me call you right back using the number. I have in my records."

#2: Block & Screen The Bad Guys

Think about the daily junk:

• Robocalls interrupting dinner. AGAIN.

• Emails screaming "Last Chance!" for stuff they don't need.

• Phones buzzing with unknown numbers all day.

Annoying? YES. But also risky. Every junk call or email is a door a scammer can sneak through. Good news? Simple tech can block most of it.

Build a digital shield. Stop junk before it arrives.

• iPhone: Easy. Go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers. Done. Calls from strangers go to voicemail.

• Android: Use built-in screening. Or get an app like Truecaller (check its privacy!).

• Email: Crank up the spam filter. Teach them: NEVER click links or open files from strangers.

• Also? Add their number to DoNotCall.gov. Helps a bit.

Takes 15 minutes. Check phone settings. Check email filter. Huge difference. Do it this week.

#3: Use Free Tools To Spot Scams Early

Scams aren't just digital. Fake bills? Phony charities? They still come in the MAIL. Plus, new online scams pop up daily. How can they spot fakes if they don't know what's real? Or what new tricks are out there?

Give them an early warning system. It's key. And guess what? There are FREE tools.

• 1. USPS Informed Delivery: Sign up at USPS.com/informed-delivery. Get daily emails with pictures of their mail. Spot junk before it hits the mailbox. FREE.

• 2. AARP Fraud Watch Network: Sign up at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork. Get alerts about the latest scams hitting seniors. Know what to look for (fake emails, scam phone calls). FREE.

Make it a quick daily habit. Check the mail pics. Check the AARP alerts. Takes minutes. Turns worry into awareness.

So, what's the key takeaway? Scammers rely on panic. Your defense is simple: Pause & Verify.

Before you do anything else this week, pick one of these quick wins:

• Practice the "Pause & Verify" script with your aging loved one.

• Set up USPS Informed Delivery (it's free!).

• Silence unknown callers on their phone.

Just one small step makes them safer today.

With Love,

Lauren

P.S… Found this issue helpful?

Please consider forwarding it to a friend, family member, or colleague who is also looking out for an older relative. Growing our squad means helping more seniors together!