Parent-Proofing the Internet

The other day, my mum rang me and said, “I think I’ve just been scammed.” Cue my stomach dropping. She’d had a call from someone claiming to be from her bank, and they sounded so convincing. They knew her name, her postcode, even the bank she was with. They told her she needed to urgently transfer money to a ‘safe account’ because her current one was compromised.

Thankfully, she paused. Something didn’t sit right, and she decided to check with me first. It turns out it was a scam, and she was just minutes away from losing her savings. I was furious on her behalf, and also really shaken up. That call could have changed everything.

It hit me later how strange the situation was. I’ve spent years talking to my kids about staying safe online. They know not to click on weird links, never to give out personal information, and how to spot fake profiles. But now, I’m having to teach those same things to my parents.

We’ve all grown up alongside the internet, but our parents didn’t. They had to adapt later in life, and while they’ve done brilliantly in so many ways (my dad now orders his books online and my mum sends me voice notes on WhatsApp like a teenager), the truth is that they’re still vulnerable. And scammers know it.

Online scams have evolved so much recently. It’s not just dodgy emails with poor grammar anymore. We’re now dealing with AI-powered scams that look and sound incredibly real. Voice cloning, deepfake videos, and realistic-looking websites can trick even the most tech-savvy among us. It’s not about intelligence, it’s about being caught off guard at the wrong moment.

We’ve had a few family chats about it since, and it’s been eye-opening. I’ve helped my parents set up two-step verification on their accounts, and we’ve even created a family safeword. That way, if they ever get a call from someone pretending to be me or my brother, they can ask for the safeword and know straight away if it’s real or fake.

I’ve also talked to the kids about it. They’re old enough to understand that their grandparents might need help spotting a scam. It’s a good reminder for them too, especially with how much of their lives are online now.

If you’ve got parents or grandparents in their 60s and older, I really recommend having these conversations. They might roll their eyes at first, but they’ll thank you later. Talk to them about:

• Never giving out personal information over the phone or email

• Not clicking links from unknown senders

• Double-checking any urgent requests for money, even if they seem to come from family

• Using strong passwords and two-step verification on their accounts

• How to report suspicious messages or phone calls

There’s a really helpful article from Chums that goes into more detail. It covers the latest scams, including fake celebrity endorsements, AI voice cloning, and phishing tactics that target older adults. It’s UK-specific and easy to understand, so I shared it with both of my parents. It sparked a proper discussion, which I think made a real difference.

There’s so much shame attached to being scammed, and that’s something we all need to challenge. Anyone can be caught out. These scams are designed to be convincing. The important thing is that we talk about it and help protect each other. No judgement, just support.

Have a chat with your family. A five-minute conversation now could save a lot of heartache down the line.