The scams that most target elderly parents
The grandparent scam
"Grandpa, I had an accident, don't tell anyone, I need money right now." A stranger poses as a grandchild in distress and plays on panic and secrecy.
The fake bank advisor
A "security" call claims a suspicious payment was just detected and asks for a code received by SMS. The bank never asks for that over the phone.
Aggressive telemarketing
Energy renovation, insurance, funeral plans: repeated calls, sometimes several times a day, relying on persistence rather than persuasion.
The fake official (tax, welfare, police)
A message or call poses as a government agency and demands immediate payment or identity verification under threat.
Why elderly parents are a prime target
It's not about intelligence: it's about habit. Someone who grew up with the landline picks up reflexively and trusts a sincere-sounding voice. They may live alone, without anyone nearby to say "wait, let's check first." Scammers know this and specifically target the times and profiles where this natural filter — a relative who could say stop — is missing.
How to protect them, concretely
- Agree on a family code word: a simple phrase only you know, to ask for if someone claiming to be you needs urgent help.
- Explain the warning signs once, simply: urgency + secrecy + money request = always suspect.
- Install automatic protection on their phone — to filter what they won't have to judge themselves.
- Stay reachable: offer to have them call you before any decision, without judgment if they almost fell for it.
How Egidio protects your loved ones — without monitoring them
With Egidio Family, you protect up to 4 loved ones under one plan. Each installs the app on their own phone: protection applies locally, on calls, SMS and over 180 messaging apps.
It's protection, not surveillance: Egidio never sends the content of their communications anywhere — not even to you. What matters is that the scam is blocked before it reaches your parent, not that you read their messages afterward.
Call and SMS blocking are free, forever — extended messaging protection and Family mode are included in the Premium version.
Download Egidio 2-minute install on your loved one's phoneFrequently asked questions
How do I protect my parents from phone scams?
Install an app that filters unwanted calls and SMS, explain the most common warning signs, and agree on a family code word to verify identity if in doubt.
What is the grandparent scam?
A scammer calls or messages pretending to be a grandchild or relative in distress, and asks for an urgent transfer, insisting no one else be told.
How do I monitor my parents' calls remotely?
With Egidio Family, each installs the app on their own phone, protection applies locally, and you get peace of mind without monitoring their content.
Does Egidio monitor the content of my parents' messages?
No. Egidio analyzes everything directly on the protected person's device. No content is transmitted to a third party, including you.
How many loved ones can I protect with Egidio Family?
Up to 4 loved ones under one subscription, each with full protection.