“Hang Up and Verify” – A Rapid Action to Protect Older People from the Current Wave of Phone and Online Scams

The project “Hang Up and Verify” responds to an intensified wave of phone and online scams that particularly affected older people in Slovenia during the spring and summer of 2026. Current scam scenarios include fake bank officials, fabricated stories about injured relatives, automated calls using AI-generated Slovenian voices, fraudulent messages impersonating institutions, and perpetrators or couriers collecting cash directly from people’s homes. Older people in rural areas are especially exposed, particularly those who are isolated, have limited mobility or are digitally excluded, because conventional online campaigns and workshops often fail to reach them. Their vulnerability is further increased by information exclusion, the closure of some bank and post-office branches, and growing reliance on communication channels they may not use confidently. The project also responds to concerns observed directly during Sopotniki rides, where older users express uncertainty about how to react when confronted with suspected fraud. The second document frames the challenge as a need to increase the knowledge and awareness of both volunteers and older people, improve the safety of older individuals, strengthen knowledge about fraud prevention and response, and increase the visibility of the issue in the media. 

The project aims to empower older people, especially those living in rural areas, to recognise and reject current phone and online scams, while also strengthening the knowledge of volunteers, coordinators and other actors who are in direct contact with them. The project will develop a “3 Steps” card with the instructions “Hang up. Pause. Verify.”, a supporting leaflet and a short field guide for volunteers. A total of 1,500 copies of both the card and the leaflet will be printed. The partner, Simbioza Genesis, will adapt its existing cybersecurity content for older adults and deliver two online train-the-trainer sessions for at least 50 volunteers and coordinators. During regular rides and through Simbioza’s activities, at least 800 older people will personally receive the information package and have an individual conversation about current fraud risks. The project will also prepare an article for municipal newsletters, a press release to be sent to at least 15 local media outlets and newsletters, and secure at least five publications or radio appearances. At least 10 organizations, companies and sectors that legitimately conduct home visits to older people will be identified (insurance agents, internet and TV providers, energy companies, chimney sweeping and delivery services, census takers, etc.). Of the organizations and companies identified, 8 will receive a written initiative encouraging them to adopt an internal safe home visit protocol. The protocol should include prior notification of the visit, identification with an official employee ID card, a verifiable telephone number, and a policy of not accepting cash payments in the home. The initiative will also invite the organizations and companies to distribute the “3 Steps” card to their field staff.

The project is expected to deliver several concrete outputs together with related outcomes. These include 1,500 copies of the “3 Steps” prevention card, 1,500 copies of the supporting leaflet and an electronic field guide for volunteers. Two online training sessions will be delivered to at least 50 volunteers and coordinators, while at least 800 older people will personally receive the information package. An evaluation will be conducted with at least 30 users, with an internal success benchmark that at least 80% of them are able to correctly state the three recommended steps. The expected outcome is greater awareness among both volunteers and older people and, consequently, improved safety for older individuals, together with increased knowledge about fraud prevention and appropriate responses to scam attempts. The project also aims to increase the visibility of the issue in the media through at least five publications or radio appearances and to promote safer home visits through its advocacy initiative. The primary target group is people over 65 living in rural areas, particularly those with mobility limitations, those who are isolated and those who are digitally excluded. Secondary target groups are volunteers and coordinators, family members of older people, organisations that legitimately visit older people at home, and decision-makers addressed through the advocacy initiative.