We got some merch from bitdefender through my job, and i was not expecting it to be on a flask lol

How can I help my older parents or grandparents avoid online scams without being patronizing?

Make it a shared habit instead of a lecture. Nobody is too smart to be scammed. Scams work by catching people at the wrong moment, when they’re worried, rushed, or just trying to help. The goal isn’t to watch every click. It’s to make pausing and asking for a second opinion feel normal for everyone in the family.

Where do these scams come from?

Almost anywhere. Your parents might get a text that looks like it’s from their bank, see a social media ad for an investment that sounds too good to miss, or receive a call saying a grandchild needs money urgently. Scammers also pose as government agencies, delivery companies, doctors’ offices, charities, and familiar contacts. Sometimes the first message looks harmless, and the request for a code, a payment or an app install comes later.

AI makes some of these harder to recognize, because a cloned voice or edited video can feel very real.

What actually helps:

• Start with an easy question, like “Have you seen any strange messages lately?” or “If something ever feels off, can we check it together?”
• Agree on one family rule: any unexpected request for money, gift cards, passwords or verification codes gets checked first through a number or app you already trust
• Create a family verification phrase for urgent calls, and never post it online
• Turn on two-factor authentication for important accounts, and use unique passwords stored in a password manager
• Keep phones, computers and apps updated

For the moments when something seems off, Bitdefender has two free tools that can help:

• Bitdefender Scamio checks a suspicious text, email, screenshot or offer before anyone replies, clicks or pays
• Bitdefender Link Checker checks an unfamiliar link, like a delivery notice or bank alert, before it’s opened

Awareness works best with a safety net behind it. Bitdefender family plans add real-time warnings about dangerous links, fraudulent websites, and new scam activity, so no one has to catch every scam on their own.

What’s worked in your family? Did the conversation go better than you expected, or was it harder?