The phone rings on a Tuesday afternoon. A polite man says he's calling from a well-known tech company. Dad's computer has a virus, he explains, and he can fix it right now if Dad lets him connect remotely. It sounds helpful. It sounds urgent. It's a scam.
Tech support fraud is one of the most common scams aimed at older adults.
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center named it the number one crime type reported by people over 60 in 2023, for the second year running.
At the same time, older adults are using more technology than ever, and much of it is designed to help them live independently. Reminder apps, wearables and health platforms can make a real difference to daily life. They also hold personal information that deserves protecting.
This guide covers why privacy and security matter so much in AgeTech, what to ask before choosing an app, simple habits families can build together, and where to get help if something goes wrong.
Why privacy and security matter more as we age
The numbers are sobering. According to the FBI's elder fraud brochure, more than 201,000 people aged 60 and over reported losses of more than $7.7 billion to the Internet Crime Complaint Center in 2025. That was a 37 percent increase on the losses reported in 2024.
The real figure is almost certainly higher. People don't have to give their age when they file a report, and many victims never report at all, often out of embarrassment.
Money isn't the only thing at stake. AgeTech often collects information that is more personal than a bank balance:
medications and health conditions
daily routines and appointments
how someone is feeling from day to day
sometimes their location
In the right hands, this information helps families and care teams give better support. In the wrong hands, it can be used to target someone. That's why privacy and security are part of what makes a tool trustworthy in the first place, not an extra feature bolted on at the end.
Independence, dignity and safety
Good AgeTech keeps the person at the centre. The aim is to support someone's independence, not to watch them.
In practice, that means a few things:
The older adult should know what is being shared, and with whom. If a family member can see medication reminders or daily check-ins, the person using the app should understand that and agree to it.
Sharing should match the need. A daughter who helps with medication may need to see whether reminders were acknowledged. She probably doesn't need access to everything else.
Consent should be revisited. Needs change over time. A setting that made sense a year ago may not fit today, so it helps to check in every so often.
Talking about this openly also builds trust. People are more likely to keep using a tool when they feel in control of it, rather than feeling watched by it.
Our article Digital Oversight Done Right goes further into how families can find this balance.
Questions to ask before choosing an AgeTech app
Before you or someone you love signs up for a new app or device, it's worth reading the privacy policy. They can be long, so here are the questions that matter most:
Does the company sell personal information? Look for a clear statement that it doesn't, or only does so with your explicit consent.
Who can see the data? Check whether family members, care teams or third-party services have access, and whether you can control that.
Is the data protected? Look for encryption when information is sent and when it is stored, and for limits on which staff can access it.
Can you get your data out? You should be able to ask for a copy of your information.
Can you delete your account? Ideally you can do this inside the app, without having to chase anyone.
What happens if the company closes? Apps don't always last. The popular medication app CareZone, for example, stopped being available for download in 2021, leaving users looking for somewhere else to keep their records. Keep your own copy of important information, like a current medication list.
If a company can't answer these questions clearly, that tells you something too.
Elli Cares is built to support independence, not surveillance. Our privacy policy sets out that we don't sell, rent or lease personal information without explicit consent, that we encrypt information when it's sent and stored, and that you can request a copy of your data or delete your account from inside the app. Family members join a loved one's account by invitation, so the older adult stays part of who can see what.
Simple security habits families can build together
Most scams succeed because of pressure and surprise, not because someone's technology is weak. A few habits, agreed as a family, go a long way.
Use strong, unique passwords. A password manager can store them safely so nobody has to remember dozens of logins. Help set it up together, and keep a record of how to access it somewhere safe.
Turn on two-factor authentication. This adds a second check, such as a code sent to your phone, before anyone can log in. Start with email and banking.
Keep devices up to date. Software updates often fix security problems. Turning on automatic updates saves remembering.
Review privacy settings together. Every few months, sit down and look at social media and app settings. Check who can see posts, and which apps have access to location, contacts or the camera.
Agree a pause rule. Scammers rely on urgency. Agree as a family that nobody pays anyone by gift card, cryptocurrency or wire transfer because of an unexpected call, email or text. The safe response is always to hang up and call back on a number you already know is real.
Talk about scams without shame. Scams are built by professionals to fool smart people. If someone feels they'll be judged for asking, they're less likely to check before acting. Make it normal to say, "This seems odd, can you have a look?"
Our guides to online safety for seniors and protecting your money have more practical tips.
Where to learn more
You don't have to become an expert to stay safe. Several trusted organisations offer free, plain-English help designed for older adults:
National Cybersecurity Alliance (US). Its Then & Now program includes a free printable workbook covering passwords, common scams and keeping devices up to date. It's designed to be worked through with a family member.
AARP Fraud Watch Network (US). The AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline on 877-908-3360 is free for members and non-members, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Eastern.
Netsafe (New Zealand). Netsafe offers free, confidential advice seven days a week and resources for older New Zealanders. You can report an online safety concern to Netsafe.
Local libraries and community centres often run technology classes too, which can be a relaxed way to build confidence.
What to do if something goes wrong
If you think someone has been scammed, act quickly and calmly:
Contact the bank or card provider straight away. They may be able to stop or reverse a payment.
Change passwords for any account that may have been exposed, starting with email.
Report it. In the US, report online fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. In the UK, Report Fraud replaced Action Fraud in December 2025 as the place to report fraud and cyber crime. In New Zealand, contact Netsafe.
Look after the person. Being scammed can shake someone's confidence. Reassure them it wasn't their fault, and help them keep using the technology that supports them, with a few extra safeguards in place.
Technology that earns trust
Privacy and security can sound like technical topics, but they come down to something simple: respect. Respect for someone's right to decide what's shared about them, and respect for the trust they place in the tools they use every day.
When families talk openly, choose tools carefully and build a few good habits together, technology becomes what it should be. It's a quiet support that helps people stay independent, not another thing to worry about.
If you'd like to see how Elli Cares supports older adults and families, visit our Seniors and Families page.
