From App-Shy to Scam-Savvy: Seniors Are Learning to Bank Digitally (but how safely)

For many older adults, the smartphone sitting in their pocket is as much a source of anxiety as it is convenience. That was certainly true for the grandparents of Miray Kaplangi, a 29-year-old Mastercard consultant based in Istanbul. Every time she visited, they'd hand her their phones and ask for help with small tasks — checking a balance, adjusting a setting — things they were afraid to do themselves. Behind those requests was a quiet but very real fear: that one wrong tap could expose them to the scams they'd heard so much about.

Kaplangi and a small team of colleagues decided to do something about it. They pitched a series of digital banking workshops to a senior center in Istanbul's Besiktas district, and when 25 older adults showed up to the first session with their smartphones in hand, they knew they'd hit a nerve. The volunteers taught participants how to turn off their payment cards remotely, request changes to credit card limits, and receive notifications whenever money was withdrawn from their accounts. Federal Trade Commission The feedback, as Kaplangi put it, was enthusiastic: "They said, 'Our grandsons tried to show us, but it was never as detailed or visual as you guys have shown. They were hungry for more.'" Federal Trade Commission

The program, which has since been recognized with Mastercard's CEO Force for Good Award, reflects a broader shift in how banks and technology companies are thinking about older adults and digital finance. Cybersecurity firm Avast estimates that more than half of older people globally have been victims of online threats, and many still write passwords on a piece of paper or are more likely to click on suspicious links. Egan Wealth Advisors Fraud isn't limited to the elderly — recent surveys have shown that Gen Z is more likely to fall for certain scams than older generations — but older adults have distinct needs around security, clarity, and control. NCOA

The Mastercard team is careful to tread the fine line between scaring and protecting, planning future sessions that highlight classic scams, teach participants how to spot fraud attempts, and explain why password hygiene and two-factor authentication matter. RegionsBank The goal isn't just to make older adults safer — it's to give them the confidence to fully participate in a digital world that increasingly offers real benefits: paying bills from home, ordering groceries online, staying connected with family.

A Note for Our Readers

The digital world offers genuine freedom and convenience for older adults — but it also demands new habits of vigilance. If you or someone you love is just getting started with online banking, here are a few essentials to keep in mind:

Use strong, unique passwords and consider a password manager rather than writing them down. Enable two-factor authentication on your bank accounts and email — it adds a second layer of protection even if someone gets your password. Turn on account alerts so you're notified of any transactions in real time. Never click links in unsolicited emails or texts claiming to be from your bank; go directly to the bank's website instead. And if something feels off, pause and call someone you trust before taking any action.

Getting online is worth it. Getting online safely is even better.

For the best protection, purchase Golden Shield, the only AI-powered software designed to keep seniors safe from online scams. We're the only team helping to safeguard against remote access applications, gift card purchases, and phishing links. While other safeguards like passwords are good, seniors are often targeted through deceptive ways that bypass traditional passwords or two-factor authentication.