A thousand senior Australians gathered in Melbourne and online this week to learn new skills to keep ahead of scammers, as part of a nationwide program launched for Scams Awareness Week.
The initiative, called Project BRIDGE (Building Resilience, Inclusion and Digital Growth for Elders), is led by Google in partnership with COTA Australia and supported by the National Anti-Scam Centre. It aims to help older Australians recognise scam tactics, improve their digital literacy, and take steps to protect their finances and personal information.
While overall national scam losses have fallen, the National Anti-Scam Centre has reported that Australians aged 65 and over continue to face the highest losses, with nearly $100 million recorded in 2024.
“Scams can have a devastating impact on Senior Australians and their savings,” said Patricia Sparrow, CEO of COTA Australia. “This project gives senior Australians the confidence and skills to identify these threats and feel empowered to not only protect themselves, but also be a source of knowledge and support for their friends and family.”
Participants in the Melbourne event, which was livestreamed across the country, were guided through practical steps to recognise scams across phone, email, and online platforms. They were encouraged to build what organisers called “scam sense”—an instinct for spotting suspicious behaviour. The training also focused on basic digital security, from updating passwords to knowing where and how to report suspicious activity.
“Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated methods to target innocent people,” said Bec Turner, Public Policy Manager at Google Australia. “We all have a role to play in knowing how to spot a scam and staying one step ahead of scammers, and this program is a vital part of that effort.”
As part of the program, seniors were introduced to three key rules: stop, check, and protect. They were reminded to stop before acting on unsolicited requests, to check whether a person or organisation is genuine using official contact details, and to protect themselves quickly if they suspect they have been targeted.
Practical advice included hanging up on suspicious calls, deleting messages, verifying investment opportunities through ASIC, and seeking a second opinion from family or friends before making decisions. Those who may have shared sensitive information were urged to immediately contact their bank, reach out to IDCARE for recovery support, and report scams through Scamwatch, police or relevant organisations.
The program also highlighted emotional support, with referrals to Lifeline and Beyond Blue for those feeling overwhelmed after an incident.
Project BRIDGE will continue to roll out through community workshops and online sessions, building a network of older Australians better equipped to navigate the digital world safely.
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