In today’s digital world, scams targeting older adults have surged and become ever more sophisticated. At Chatsie, we’re not trying to be antivirus software or crime fighters - what we are is your family’s digital ally: subtle, intelligent, and designed to make you pause and think, not to raise alarm.
The growing threat
- In the UK, fraud is now one of the most common crimes making up 40% of all offences in England and Wales (Ofcom).
- Nearly two-thirds of people aged 65 and older have been targeted by fraud or scams, with losses averaging around £4,000 per incident - a devastating burden on our elders (Independent Age).
- For the over‑75s, scams are relentless: two out of three faced scam attempts last year, and 40% endure them monthly or even weekly (University of Portsmouth).
- Telephone remains the top channel: 60% of scam attempts are voice‑calls, with another 11% via text (University of Portsmouth).
- Many older adults are understandably anxious; 4.9 million over‑50s in the UK now fear answering the phone or opening their doors because of scams (AgeUK).
Why we built The Scam Shield
We believe protection shouldn't mean worry - it should mean reassurance.
- The Scam Shield Counter silently tracks message scans and flags potential threats without reading personal content or invading privacy.
- It’s not about paranoia but peace of mind; letting you know that something suspicious came through, prompting a second thought.
In a world where scams can be highly tailored (from romance baiting to deep-faked voices), this gentle indicator is one more line of defence - subtle, smart, and caring.
Our vision for safety
We want families to feel empowered, not alarmed.
The Scam Shield is a visible sign that Chatsie is watching out on behalf of both the user and their loved ones - a quiet reassurance that there’s someone in their corner.As scams evolve, especially with AI-driven sophistication, we’ll continue to lean into tools that are non-intrusive yet provide actionable insight so families can stay connected, confident, and protected.
