Jay Collins highlights Operation Senior Shield to protect seniors from scammers

Lt. Gov. Jay Collins stopped in Jacksonville to illustrate the state’s commitment to older Floridians at a senior living facility.

Operation Senior Shield, an initiative to help seniors stay ahead of scammers, was the topic in front of a room full of young-at-heart residents of the Sunshine State.

Collins described it as a “tool to combat senior scams and fraud,” which is a “continuation of a mission he’s been on for many years” going back to his time in the military.

“Senior Shield provides timely text and email alerts, so older adults and caregivers can stay ahead of scammers,” Collins said.

“We’re going to make you hard targets. You have to have the information to understand what’s going on. When a new threat appears, Floridians will know about it before the scammers get to their door, their inbox, or their phone. That’s how we keep you alert, keep you informed and secure.”

Additionally, the state is starting a task force to address the threat, a “strike team that works around the clock to stop criminals before they strike,” which includes Collins and Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Michelle Branham.

“With guidance from ethical hackers and cybersecurity experts, seniors will walk through the exact steps scammers use, safely, in a controlled environment,” Collins explained.

“You’ll learn how to see these schemes, understand them from the inside, see the red flags firsthand and practice those techniques scammers use against you. It’s not just education, it’s empowerment.”

Branham said the need for this was great.

“No matter where I go, whether it’s at a senior center or a community meeting or just literally in a grocery line, I hear the same types of stories: someone picking up a phone call about a supposed credit card alert fraud, or an email that’s just convincing enough about supposed jury duty, or a text that created just enough panic and urgency from a supposed bank to make someone respond or click a link.”