Protect older parents

Older people are not "naive". Scammers target trust in family and authority, isolation, and less practice with digital warning signs. A fake grandchild or fake police officer attacks the heart, not the phone. Prepare phrases before the call happens: "I cannot decide on the phone. I will call my family and call back." The Italian Postal Police stresses recognizing fraudulent messages and not responding with credentials or codes.

Have five short talks. Grandchild scam: call the saved number, not the new one. Fake police: no officer sends a relative to collect cash or jewelry. Utility technician: no entry without a verified appointment. Lottery prize: if you must pay to receive it, it is not a prize. Hospital emergency: call the relative or hospital through an official number first. Put the rules on paper near the phone.

Make safety easy. Keep bills in one drawer. Write official numbers on paper: bank, card, doctor, municipality, nearby post office, family contact. Bank numbers should come from the card or manually typed website. Agree on a family word for real emergencies. Keep a simple procedure: "1 hang up, 2 call Anna, 3 call bank." Short steps beat long lectures.

Increase font size. Save important numbers with clear names. Enable unknown-caller silence or spam filtering if it does not block needed calls. Consider SMS filters only if they are simple and trustworthy. Do not install remote-control apps "for safety" unless someone can manage them. The strongest habit is simple: before money, codes, or documents, call a trusted person.

Many victims stay silent because they feel ashamed. Say in advance: "If it happens, we will not judge you. Call immediately." Shame wastes precious time. The first hours can help block cards, call the bank, and save proof. Keep independence where possible, but add light guardrails: transfer limits, bank alerts, family contact sheet, and monthly bill checks. For online scams, IC3 is a US reporting reference; use the equivalent national channel where you live.