At 82 years old, I’ve seen plenty of things change, everything from rotary phones to smartphones, and handwritten letters to emails that arrive in the blink of an eye. But one thing that hasn’t changed is that there will always be people looking to take advantage of others.
What has changed is how sophisticated and relentless these scammers have become, especially when targeting seniors like me. That’s why Florida’s Operation Senior Shield couldn’t have come at a better time.
Just last month, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins visited a Jacksonville retirement community to announce this new, free statewide alert system. The goal is simple: Keep seniors informed, aware and one step ahead of criminals who use phones, computers and even doorsteps as tools of deception. As Collins put it, “When a new threat appears, Floridians will know about it before the scammers get to their door, their inbox or their phone.” For those of us who didn’t grow up in a digital world, that kind of early warning is invaluable.
The program also comes with guidance from cybersecurity experts and even “ethical hackers” who walk seniors through the exact tricks scammers use. Imagine learning the scams before the scammers try them on us. Finally, we’re leveling the playing field.
Michelle Branham, Secretary of the Department of Elder Affairs, said something that stuck with me: “Education and awareness matter. Community and family conversations matter.” Many of us grew up in a time when hanging up on someone was considered rude. Today, it may protect your life savings. The more we talk openly about scams in our communities, with family members and within senior centers, the safer we all become.
Utility companies like Florida Power & Light are also sounding the alarm as scam tactics grow bolder. For example, fake threats to shut off power or imposters showing up at your door pushing high priced solar panel scams. There are plenty of others, including health insurance scams, fake accident calls, lottery and fake prize scams and dating scams just to name a few. It’s a minefield out there. One misstep and you could be paying the price for years to come.
But with age comes the wisdom to know that you’re never too old to learn something new, like how to avoid becoming a victim.
Operation Senior Shield does more than issue warnings. It gives older Floridians peace of mind to know we are not alone. And it sends a strong message that Florida values its seniors enough to fight for our safety.
I encourage every senior, and every caregiver, to sign up at opseniorshieldfl.com. Staying safe starts with staying informed. Thank you to the governor and the rest of Florida’s top leaders for caring about us old folks.
John Grant is a retired Florida state Senator and president of the Tampa-based national nonprofit Seniors Across America.
