How to protect elderly parents from phone scams
Updated October 14, 2026 · 8 min read
Telling a parent “don’t fall for scams” doesn’t work, because scams are designed to work on smart people. A short plan does: agree a rule together, give them one thing to do when a call feels urgent, and practise it once. Here’s how.
Start with the conversation, not the settings
Lead with respect. Scammers are professionals, and anyone can be fooled when they’re frightened. Something like: “I read that scammers can copy a voice now. If anyone ever phones as me asking for money, I want you to have a way to check.”
Ask what they’d do, not what they should do. Then agree on a short rule you can both remember.
Agree three simple rules
- A call asking for money is never urgent enough to skip checking. If it’s real, it will still be real in ten minutes.
- Ask for the family safe word. The caller must say it. See the safe word guide.
- Hang up and call back on a saved number, or ask another family member.
Phone settings that help
- On iPhone, turn on Silence Unknown Callers if they rarely get calls from strangers. On Android, enable the built-in spam call filter.
- Ask their bank about transaction alerts, a trusted contact, and a delay on large or first-time transfers.
- Remove or limit voicemail greetings that include their full name and address.
- Remember that none of this stops a call from a spoofed familiar number, which is why the safe word and call-back matter most.
Practise once
Rehearse a made-up call at the kitchen table, then repeat every few months. Or let Countersign do it: with their agreement it phones them in your voice with a practice scam that never asks for real money, ends by telling them it was practice, and shows what they did well. There’s no blame in the results.
Give them a way to check that doesn’t need an app
Many parents don’t want another app. With Countersign, a parent can use it by text alone: they text “CHECK” and a name, and the real person gets a request on their own phone. They don’t install anything. See how it works.
If they’ve been targeted or paid
Stay kind. Help them contact their bank immediately, report to the police and to the national fraud service (reportfraud.ftc.gov in the US), and change any passwords they shared. Shame stops people reporting, and speed matters.
Frequently asked questions
How do I talk to my elderly parent about scams without sounding condescending?
Frame it as something you’re worried about for everyone, not their judgement. Say scammers can copy voices now, and agree a simple rule together.
What should my parent do when a caller asks for money?
Ask for the family safe word, hang up, and call the person back on a saved number or ask another relative.
Can I block scam calls to my parent’s phone?
You can reduce them with built-in filters and carrier tools, but scammers can spoof numbers, so rules and a safe word are still needed.
Does my parent need a smartphone for Countersign?
No. A parent can use it by text message alone.