Scam Files: Elderly Filipino-Australians learn cyber safety as scams grow more sophisticated

The Burwood Library Hall in New South Wales recently turned into a classroom for a group of Filipino elderly residents who came together to learn how to protect themselves from online scams and hackers.

Scam Files

View Podcast Series

Follow and Subscribe

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Download (12.43MB)

Download the SBS Audio appAvailable on iOS and Android

A cyber security awareness workshop in Burwood, New South Wales gathered elderly citizens eager to learn how to stay safe from online scams. With AI-driven fraud on the rise, experts caution that older people are at greater risk, as detecting fake voices and images is becoming increasingly difficult.

Key Points

Despite the difficulties, the elderly participants listened attentively, eager to learn the essentials of digital safety from updating their devices and creating stronger passwords, to setting up multi-factor authentication and avoiding suspicious links or calls.
Reports show scams are becoming more sophisticated with AI, using fake websites, deepfakes, and emotional manipulation.
Roy Dequina, a bilingual lecturer from the Ethnic Communities Council, said the free workshop, run by Burwood Council in partnership with the Philippine Australian Multicultural Association, aimed not only to teach technical skills but also to help seniors and community members from diverse backgrounds feel more confident using technology.

According to cyber experts, awareness programs for seniors are vital, as they are among the most financially and emotionally vulnerable to online scams.

Cyber security awareness support for elderly

Nardel Purisima, 88, shared his concerns about the growing digital threats against older people.

For 88-year-old Nardel Purisima, the matter is about more than just protecting himself. “Authorities must do more to stop scammers from targeting vulnerable people like us. This workshop is helpful, but the fight has to be bigger,” he urged.

Lola Dolores Amarille, 77, often finds using her phone confusing and overwhelming. Despite this, she attended the cyber security awareness workshop, determined to learn how to stay safe online.