Phone scammers deliberately target older people, who are more likely to have a landline, answer unknown calls, and be at home during the day. But age isn't the real vulnerability - isolation, trust and unfamiliarity with newer scams are. With a few practical settings and some simple, memorable rules, you can dramatically reduce the risk to an older relative without making them feel patronised or fearful. Here's how.

Why older relatives are targeted

Scammers play a numbers game and steer towards people who are easiest to reach and most likely to engage: those with landlines, those who answer unknown calls out of politeness, and those who may not have heard of the latest recorded-voice or bank "safe account" scams. Some scammers keep "sucker lists" of people who've engaged before and target them repeatedly. None of this reflects on a person's intelligence - it's about exposure and opportunity.

Set up their phone to do the hard work

Practical settings make a big difference, and most can be done in a single visit:

  • Call screening. Turn on "Silence Unknown Callers" (iPhone) or block unidentified numbers (Android) so only known contacts ring through - see how to block unwanted calls.
  • A call-blocking landline phone. For those who rely on a landline, a handset with built-in nuisance-call blocking is one of the best investments you can make.
  • Bar premium and international calls. Ask their provider to block outgoing premium-rate (09) and international calls, removing the risk of expensive call-backs from one-ring scams.
  • Register with the TPS to cut legitimate marketing calls - see how to stop nuisance and cold calls.
  • Save key contacts (bank, GP, family) so genuine callers are recognised.

Share a few simple, memorable rules

Long lists overwhelm. A handful of clear rules stick:

  1. "My bank will never ask me to move money to a safe account." This one line defeats the most damaging scam.
  2. "No real organisation needs my PIN, password or a one-time code." Never read these out.
  3. "If I'm not sure, I hang up and call back on a number I trust" - the bank on 159, or a number from a statement.
  4. "I never feel rude for hanging up." Politeness is what scammers exploit; permission to hang up is a gift.
  5. "Anything urgent is a reason to slow down, not speed up."

Writing these on a card near the phone gives an instant reference in the moment.

Agree a "pause and check" habit

The most powerful protection is a simple agreement: before doing anything involving money or personal details because of a phone call, pause and check with me (or another trusted person) first. Scammers rely on isolation and urgency; a built-in "I always check with my daughter first" breaks both. Make sure they know they can call you any time, with no judgement, however small the worry.

Have the conversation kindly

How you raise it matters as much as what you say:

  • Frame it as something everyone deals with - "these scams are everywhere now, even I nearly got caught" - rather than singling them out.
  • Focus on the scammers' cunning, not any failing on their part.
  • Protect their independence. The goal is confidence, not control - help them feel more capable of spotting scams, not watched.
  • Revisit gently, as scams evolve. A quick "did you hear about this new one?" keeps awareness fresh without alarm.

If they've already been scammed

Respond with reassurance, not blame - shame is what stops people reporting and what scammers count on for repeat attempts. Help them contact their bank immediately, report it to Action Fraud, and watch for follow-up "recovery" scams. Our guide on what to do if you've been scammed covers each step.

The bottom line

Protecting an older relative from phone scams is a blend of practical setup and simple habits: screen and block calls, bar expensive call-backs, share a few memorable rules, and agree a "pause and check with me" routine. Do it as a partnership that protects their confidence as well as their money, and revisit it kindly as scams change. A short afternoon of setup and conversation can prevent a devastating loss.

Frequently asked questions

Why are elderly people targeted by phone scammers?

Because they're statistically more likely to have a landline, be home during the day, answer unknown calls, and be less familiar with newer scams. Some scammers also keep lists of people who've engaged before. It's about exposure and opportunity, not a person's intelligence.

What's the single most useful thing I can set up?

Call screening so only known contacts ring through (iPhone's "Silence Unknown Callers" or Android's block-unknown setting), or a call-blocking landline handset for landline users. Pair it with asking their provider to bar premium-rate and international calls to remove expensive call-back risks.

What simple rule helps most against bank scams?

"My bank will never ask me to move money to a safe account." That one line defeats the most damaging scam. Add "no one legitimate needs my PIN, password or one-time code" and "if unsure, hang up and call back on 159".

How do I talk to a parent about scams without offending them?

Frame it as something everyone faces, focus on how cunning the scammers are rather than any mistake, and aim to build their confidence rather than control them. Agree a no-judgement "check with me first" habit and revisit it gently as new scams appear.