Introduction

Earlier last year, my Mum told me about one of her elderly customers who had been targeted by scammed over the phone. She really thought these fraudsters were her bank. This then got me thinking about how many elderly people in my area might be at risk of these kinds of scams. So, I decided to create a cyber safety talk to help them recognize and avoid scams, especially those that come through phone calls and online.

I put together a PowerPoint presentation about the most common scams targeting elderly people, like fake bank calls, phishing emails, and other online frauds. I refined the presentation, making sure it was both easy to understand and practical. I then went and did this to six care homes with one inviting me back for a second talk. Since then, I’ve recreated the talk to update on more of the latest scams and presented at an additional four homes.

What I Did

The talk focused on how to recognize scams and what to do if they happen. I covered things like:

  • Recognizing common scams : Examples included gift card scams, phishing emails, and unusual payment requests.
  • How to respond : I taught the “STOP, THINK, QUESTION, CONFIRM” approach, which encourages people to pause, evaluate, and verify suspicious claims.
  • Protecting personal information : Using strong passwords and being cautious with unsolicited emails and calls.
  • Reporting scams : I gave out stickers with the Action Fraud Helpline number to make reporting easier.

I also shared real examples of scams, so people could see exactly what to watch out for. The goal was to make it relatable and actionable.

Impact and Feedback

After each talk, I hold a Q&A session to answer any questions. The residents have been really engaged, sharing their own experiences and asking good questions. At the end of the session, I handed out free stickers and information packs that I’ve designed and printed myself. The packs include tips for staying safe, along with the Action Fraud number so they can report scams.

The feedback from everyone has been really positive. People have said they feel more confident and know what to do if they get a suspicious call or email. Multiple people have also mentioned that I spoke clearly and provided useful information, which makes me feel good about how the talks are being received. It’s been great to hear that the talks have made a real difference in helping people stay safe.

Recognition and Commendation

I was featured on a few elderly accommodation pages online, which helped get the word out even more. I also got a commendation from Anchor Housing, the organization running one of the homes I spoke at. A senior staff member from Anchor Housing called me to personally thank me for doing the talks, which was a huge boost. Plus, I received an award from my school for the work I’ve been doing, which made me feel even more motivated to keep going.

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Skills and Lessons Learned

This whole experience has helped me build up a bunch of new skills:

  • Public speaking: Speaking to a room full of people and making sure the info is clear and useful.
  • Cybersecurity education: Teaching others about staying safe online and over the phone.
  • Community engagement: Connecting with local groups and making sure the talks meet their needs.
  • Design: Creating and printing the stickers and info packs was a fun challenge.

It’s been really rewarding to see that the talks have had such a positive impact. It’s made me want to keep going and help even more people.

Looking Ahead

I’m planning to continue doing these talks, and hopefully reach more seniors who need this kind of info. I want to keep improving the materials and maybe even set up follow-up sessions to keep people updated on new scams. Ultimately, I just want to make sure as many people as possible can recognize the signs of scams and protect themselves.

Conclusion

These scam awareness talks have been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done. Helping elderly people stay safe from scammers has been incredibly fulfilling, and the recognition I’ve received from local officials and organizations has only motivated me to keep going. I’m excited to keep spreading the word and doing what I can to help others stay safe.