The new initiative helping older adults ‘kick ass’ in the fight against scammers

Older Australians have just been offered a “kick ass” new weapon in the fight against scammers with the launch of a first of its kind charity to help those who have fallen victim to scam activity.

Kick-Ass Seniors recently launched in Australia with the mission of empowering and protecting older adults in the digital age through comprehensive technology solutions.

According to the revolutionary charity, more than 76,000 seniors lost over $82 million in 2023 to online scams.

Founder and CEO of Kick-Ass Seniors, Wahid Siddique said it was figures like these that inspired the creation of the charitable organisation.

“Whether it’s their last $50 or $50,000 the impact of this type of financial loss, the sense of humiliation and embarrassment leave our seniors feeling a great sense of shame, this is why we created Kick-Ass Seniors,” Siddique said.

The free service offers older Australians access to a Helpline at the time a cybercrime is detected, a First Response call which will see a computer technician conduct a face-to face call with the client and ongoing support programs including online workshops, community forums, and the Kick-Ass App.

Kick-Ass Seniors’ mission is to equip seniors with the knowledge, tools, and support they need to navigate the digital landscape safely, maintain independence, and enjoy a secure online experience.

The initiative comes as Australians are being increasingly targeted by scammers with those aged over 65 seeing a recent increase in losses to scams compared to any other age group.

This is despite reports from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission that showed that scam losses reported between January to March this year have declined by 11 per cent compared to the same time last year.

For those who want to stay one step ahead of scammers and protect their personal information, the National Anti-Scam Centre suggests the following precautionary measures to avoid falling victim to such malicious activity.

STOP – Don’t rush to act. Hang up on anyone requesting you download software or an app over the phone.  Never provide banking information, passwords, or two-factor identification codes over the phone.

THINK – Ask yourself if you really know who you are communicating with? Take the time to call the business you are dealing with using independently sourced contact details or verify the contact through their secure app.

PROTECT – Act quickly if something feels wrong. If you have shared financial information or transferred money, contact your bank immediately. Help others by reporting to Scamwatch