Shielding Seniors from Scams
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In this episode of Inside Plano, host Shawna Haley and Amanda McNew welcome Tejasvi Manoj, a high school senior and 2025 Time Kid of the Year, and Officer Jerry Minton from the Plano Police Department to discuss the growing threat of scams targeting seniors. Tejasvi shares how her grandfather’s near-scam experience inspired her to create 'Shield Seniors,' an AI-powered app designed to help older adults identify scams, learn cybersecurity basics, and report fraud—all with a focus on dignity and digital independence. Officer Minton emphasizes the emotional toll of scams on seniors, including shame and self-blame, and highlights the importance of family vigilance and timely reporting. The conversation covers common red flags like foreign area codes, government impersonation, and grandparent scams, along with actionable steps for families to support aging loved ones through monitoring, open dialogue, and financial oversight. The episode concludes with a powerful message: seniors are not alone, and community support is vital in protecting them in an increasingly digital world.
Create open, non-judgmental conversations with aging loved ones about online safety.
Use tools like app monitoring and shared bank access to support seniors while preserving their independence.
Report scams immediately with detailed records—time is critical for recovery.
Tejasvi Manoj’s 'Shield Seniors' app uses AI to analyze messages, educate users, and simplify reporting.
Scammers often exploit emotional triggers like fear for a loved one’s safety.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introduction to the Episode and Guests
Hosts Shawna Haley and Amanda McNew introduce the episode and welcome Tejasvi Manoj, a 2025 Time Kid of the Year, and Officer Jerry Minton from the Plano Police Department to discuss elder scams.
Tejasvi's Journey: From Grandfather's Scam to Shield Seniors
“I wanted to create digital independence with dignity. I wanted to make sure that older adults would be able to feel independent online and safe.”
The Scale of Elder Scams in Plano and Emotional Impact
“They feel ashamed and almost to them I think a lot of them it feels like a physical assault on them.”
How Shield Seniors Works: AI, Education, and Reporting
“It doesn't just protect, it also educates. And then how to prevent yourself from going through something like this again.”
Red Flags and Real-World Scam Tactics
The team outlines common scam indicators, including foreign area codes, government impersonation, and the 'grandparent scam,' with real-life examples.
“We want to bring more sunshine into their lives. And I think the digital world can be so overwhelming at times. Accept help or even ask for help.”
“They feel ashamed and almost to them I think a lot of them it feels like a physical assault on them.”
“I wanted to create digital independence with dignity. I wanted to make sure that older adults would be able to feel independent online and safe.”
Hosts
Guests
Tejasvi Manoj
person
Officer Jerry Minton
person
Shield Seniors
other
Plano
place
Plano Police Department
organization
Time Magazine
media
North Texas
place
Grandparent Scam
other
TEDx Plano
other
Venmo
product
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