As real life banks close, network operator starts a Scam School to stop Granny getting mugged online

Broadband biz teams up with Good Things Foundation to teach the digitally doddery how to dodge fraud

UK network Virgin Media O2 is taking steps to combat fraud with a nationwide education scheme that aims to help vulnerable people and older folk avoid becoming victims.

Dubbed the "Scam Schools" program, the initiative will offer free, in-person sessions across the UK, delivered in partnership with digital inclusion charity the Good Things Foundation.

The telecoms giant says the sessions will be advertised locally and on its website. People can register their interest in attending a session via the website, while community groups looking to host a session should also apply online. (You can send in a form here.)

Scams are becoming pervasive, and there can be few people in the country who haven't received a text message or email from a fraudster pretending to be their bank or HMRC, the UK government's tax agency, or claiming to be a delivery firm holding a package for them. Older people are often targeted, and can lose substantial sums of money.

VMO2 says that its figures point to more than 1.8 million people over 65 in the UK being scammed online in the past year, with the average loss being £831 ($1,114). More than half of Brits fear their older relatives could lose their life savings to fraudsters, it claims.

The situation is exacerbated by ongoing bank branch closures, which are forcing many older and vulnerable people who may have limited internet experience to rely on online services, putting them at greater risk of running into fraudsters.

 "Scammers are becoming ever more convincing and anyone can fall victim," commented VMO2's Director of Fraud Prevention, Murray Mackenzie.

"From fake investment opportunities to messages claiming to be from trusted banks or delivery companies, fraudsters are always changing their tactics. Worryingly, it's often older people who are most at risk."

In an effort to counter this, VMO2's training events are designed to help people with low digital confidence gain practical skills to spot and avoid scams, as well as provide advice on how they can get additional support to stay safe online.

These will cover areas from recognizing phishing emails and fake delivery texts to creating stronger passwords and protecting personal data.

Sessions are scheduled during October and November to coincide with Get Online Week, but a VMO2 spokesperson for the firm told us it is prepared to extend this with additional sessions if there is lots of demand.

However, VMO2 declined to reveal how much this scheme is costing it, telling The Register that it wouldn't give a cost breakdown of a particular activity, but that it has funded the creation of the program and is providing specially trained staff to host the sessions.

Good Things Foundation chief exec Helen Milner says that many people still lack the skills and confidence to spot scams.

"By working with Virgin Media O2 during Get Online Week, we're helping local communities build the confidence they need to stay safe and make the most of life online. Together, we can ensure no one is left behind in our increasingly digital world."

Last year, VMO2's mobile arm deployed its own weapon against scammers, an "AI granny" developed to answer calls from fraudsters in real time, keeping them busy on the phone by engaging in human-like rambling chat and wasting their time by pretending to be a potential target. ®