Don't Make It Easy for Them

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and this year's campaign from the National Cybersecurity Alliance has a good name, "Don't Make It Easy for Them." For older adults, the numbers say it has been too easy. The Federal Trade Commission's new report, released October 19, finds reported fraud losses by people 60 and older rose from about $600 million in 2020 to about $3 billion in 2025. The FBI counts $7.7 billion in losses from people 60 and over last year, up 59 percent. Because most fraud is never reported, the FTC puts the real cost to older adults between $13.3 billion and $119.5 billion. Worldwide, the WHO projects 2.1 billion people aged 60 and older by 2050, so this is not only an American problem.

Most of the money moves the same few ways, by bank transfer and cryptocurrency, often after a call, a text or a social media message that feels urgent. That is good news for families, because the defenses are small and specific.

Agree on a family code word, so a voice on the phone that sounds like a grandchild can be checked. Turn on the carrier's spam call filtering and the bank's alerts, and add a trusted contact on the bank account. Set up two-step sign-in on email, the account scammers want most. Keep the phone and tablet updated. And say one rule out loud. Nobody legitimate ever asks to be paid in gift cards, crypto or cash at a Bitcoin ATM.

None of it needs a new device. It needs one afternoon and a conversation. Don't make it easy for them.