Billions of dollars lost to scams: AT&T has a warning for you and your loved ones

It's still Cybersecurity Awareness Month (held every October for the last 20+ years) and AT&T has some useful advice for you and your loved ones.

While it's true that the most vulnerable online users are kids and adolescents, it's important to remember that seniors are also exposed to a whole plethora of scams and frauds when interacting with mobile devices.

But because we're living in the AI era when everything evolves so fast (and not always in a positive direction), this doesn't apply just to seniors but to all of us regardless of our age or technical knowledge. A little bit of extra protection never hurt anybody.

Billions of dollars have been lost already

Staying alert, keeping your personal information to yourself and recognizing a potential scam (not every message online can be trusted) can make all the difference.

FTC data from 2025 shows that the mind-boggling $12.5 billion was reported stolen in scams and fraud activities. That's up 25% from the $10 billion reported in 2023. And to put things into perspective, the FTC reported that adults in their 70s lost a median of $1,000.

Now, AT&T has a new blog post on the topic, collaborating with OATS (Older Adults Technology Services) from AARP (American Association of Retired Persons), dedicated to helping older adults develop practical technology skills.

As you know, evil never sleeps and e-scams always evolve; these include not only scam emails and texts, but also—and this is where AI kicks in—impersonation, romance frauds and whatnot. It's crucial to help older adults understand these risks.

Staying safe

Numerous AARP courses, in collaboration with AT&T Connected Learning Centers, take place nationwide. There are practical lessons on email, browsing the web and installing apps; participants also learn how to spot fraudulent messages, safeguard personal information and avoid common online threats.

The partnership between AT&T and OATS is one way the two organizations are working to make digital services easier to access and safer to use as more everyday activities move online.

What's it like?

For many, the learning process starts with the very basics: powering on a device, operating a touchscreen or connecting to a Wi-Fi network.

That's just the beginning; next, participants learn to recognize warning signs and respond appropriately when they encounter suspicious websites, unexpected messages or questionable requests for personal information.

For example, Rosalba M., an 89-year-old Manhattan resident, took part in a five-week iPad Essentials course. In addition to learning how to browse the internet and use apps, she received advice on identifying scams that arrive through text messages and email.

Rosalba said she already understood that older people are frequently targeted by scammers but hadn't realized how widespread the problem was. Although the extent of the threat initially frightened her, she said the course left her feeling better equipped to recognize suspicious activity and handle it.

Practice, practice, practice

Like anything else, digital security education works best when the lessons extend over into everyday life. People of all ages can lower their exposure to online threats by taking a moment to examine unexpected requests. As a general rule of thumb, one should keep away from unfamiliar links and email or chat attachments.

It's also crucial to use a different password for each account or app and enable multifactor authentication. When a message appears to come from someone they know, verifying the sender through another trusted communication channel can also help prevent fraud.

Further help by AT&T

AT&T offers additional security features through services such as AT&T ActiveArmor. These include tools intended to block spam and fraudulent calls, monitor identity-related risks and provide other protections for customers and their personal information.

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