They say grandparents are the original “Google”—always full of answers. Unfortunately, scammers know that too, and they’re trying to “search and destroy” seniors’ savings with fake emergencies.
Earlier this year, 85-year-old grandfather of Tejasvi Manoj, a high school junior from Frisco, Texas, nearly lost $2,000 to a scam email pretending to be from a family member. The message claimed her uncle needed quick cash to settle an urgent debt. Thankfully, the family double-checked before transferring funds—and realized it was a scam. That close call didn’t just save her grandfather’s money; it sparked Tejasvi’s mission to fight back against fraudsters.
Here’s how scams like this typically work:
criminals impersonate relatives or trusted contacts, often claiming an emergency, and pressure seniors into sending money quickly. They usually strike via email, text, or phone call, using urgency to cloud judgment. The main targets? Seniors—especially those unfamiliar with online deception and those with retirement savings.
In Tejasvi’s case, her grandfather was seconds away from wiring money before her father intervened. Shocked by how close her family came to disaster, Tejasvi dove into research and discovered just how widespread elder scams have become. In 2024 alone, seniors lost nearly $5 billion to online fraud—a staggering 32% increase from the year before.
Why does this matter?
Because the financial and emotional toll is devastating. Beyond losing money, seniors often feel shame, isolation, and distrust toward their loved ones or technology. And the problem is only growing: reports of older adults losing more than $100,000 to scams jumped sevenfold between 2020 and 2024.
But here’s the good news:
Tejasvi didn’t stop at research. She built Shield Seniors, a website to protect older adults from online scams. The site breaks down digital safety into four easy-to-use sections:
- Learn: simple guides on spotting scams and protecting accounts.
- Ask: a chatbot that answers cybersecurity questions in plain English (no jargon overload).
- Analyze: an AI tool that scans suspicious emails or texts with 95% accuracy.
- Report: direct links to official agencies like the FBI and AARP to take action.
Her platform is designed with seniors in mind—large fonts, calming visuals, and straightforward instructions. It’s already earned her recognition in the Congressional App Challenge, a 2025 TEDx talk, and TIME’s Kid of the Year award.
Here’s how you or your loved ones can stay protected from scams like the one that nearly fooled her grandfather:
- Always verify: Call the relative or friend directly before sending money.
- Slow down: Scammers thrive on urgency—take a breath and double-check.
- Guard personal info: Never share banking details, Social Security numbers, or login credentials via email or text.
- Use trusted channels: Only send money through secure, verified platforms.
- Report scams: Don’t stay silent. Reporting helps stop fraudsters from targeting others.
Quick Tip: Did you know scammers often target seniors late at night or early in the morning, hoping they’ll be less alert? Timing is part of their playbook.
Pro Tip: Teach loved ones a simple “pause and call” rule—never act on financial requests without confirming directly with the source.
Stay safe, stay informe.
Keyword Definitions
- Phishing: A fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information by pretending to be a trusted contact.
- Elder Fraud: Financial schemes that specifically target people over 60.
- AI Scam Detection: The use of artificial intelligence tools to analyze and flag fraudulent messages.
- False Pretense Scam: A crime where fraudsters misrepresent facts to trick victims into sending money.
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