Safe & Sound

A scam can start with a scroll. A friendly message, familiar-looking ad or too-good-to-be-true post can be the first step in a costly social media scam. This episode of Safe & Sound shares simple ways older adults and families can pause, verify and stay protected before clicking, responding or sending money.

AI voice-cloning scams are becoming more convincing — and more personal. In this episode, we break down how these scams work, why older adults are often targeted, and what families can do to stay protected. From urgent “family emergency” calls to simple steps like creating a safe word, this conversation offers practical tips every family should know. Listen now and share with someone you care abou...

Scammers ramp up tactics early in the year, often impersonating the IRS to create fear and urgency. We are covering the most common IRS-related scams:✅ “Quick refund” emails with suspicious links✅ Fake “tax-deductible” charity requests (especially ones asking for gift cards)✅ “Help setting up your IRS account” schemes designed to steal personal infoRemember: The IRS will not call, text, email,...

January is high season for scams—and older adults are often the most targeted and the least protected. In our latest Safe & Sound episode, we discuss: 🔐 The rise of Amazon “Update Your Account” phishing scams ⚠️ Tech support pop-ups that trick seniors into giving remote access 🧠 The mindset scammers exploit—and how to counter it As cybercriminals become more sophisticated, solutions designed...

Dr. Kerry Burnight, gerontologist and New York Times bestselling author, joins us for the latest episode of Safe & Sound! Dr. Burnight—longtime advocate for older adults and former Chief Gerontologist at GrandPad—joins us to explore how her Joyspan framework can complement conversations around digital safety for seniors. Because staying safe online isn’t just about avoiding scams—it’s about pr...

Fraud is evolving fast — but so are the tools to stop it. In Episode 13 of Safe & Sound, we’re joined by Jay Haapala from AARP Minnesota, who shares expert tips on spotting scams and recovering from fraud. Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones — and why you’re never alone when facing a scam.

From stolen devices to hacked accounts, a data breach can feel overwhelming. But you can take back control. In this episode, we break down the essential steps to take immediately after a breach and help you build digital resilience. Whether you're tech-savvy or just starting to learn, this episode will give you the tools to respond quickly, confidently, and calmly.

Before you book that next vacation getaway, make sure you're not packing a scam in your suitcase. In this episode, we uncover how fraudsters target older adults with too-good-to-be-true vacation deals—and how to stay one step ahead. In this episode of ⁠GrandPad’s ⁠ Safe & Sound podcast, learn how to spot fake travel websites, protect personal info on public Wi-Fi, and avoid red flags like...

Scammers are getting smarter—but so are we. In this eye-opening episode, GrandPad CEO Scott Lien sits down with Director of Security & Privacy Derrick Barksdale, who shares a firsthand account of a convincing bank text scam.🛑 Hear how a simple “NO” reply turned into a full-blown scam attempt.🛡 Learn practical steps to protect yourself and your loved ones.💬 Discover how GrandPad is helping pr...

In today’s challenging economic climate, job opportunity scams are becoming more sophisticated—and more common. In this episode of GrandPad’s Safe & Sound podcast, we hear from a brave guest who shares her personal experience with a convincing job scam. From high-paying offers to fake HR videos and Bitcoin payments, scammers are going to great lengths to deceive. This episode breaks down how t...

Tax season is here, and so are the scammers. Did you know that older adults are prime targets for tax scams, with fraudsters using AI-powered calls, fake IRS emails, and urgent threats to steal money and personal information? In this episode of Safe & Sound, GrandPad CEO Scott Lien breaks down the most common tax scams, how to spot red flags, and how to stay protected.

This episode focuses on bank scams—how scammers are evolving their tactics and what you can do to protect yourself.

Hear some practical tips and straightforward strategies that anyone can use to stay safe online, including how to stay safe while shopping online during the busy holiday season.

In this episode, we're diving into a critical topic that could affect many older adults—healthcare scams, specifically around Medicare or Healthcare.gov Open Enrollment. Learn more about how to stay vigilant against these types of scams.

With the election cycle in full swing, political scams usually increase around election seasons, and they come in different forms. Scammers may pose as political campaigners or government officials, using phone calls, emails, or even social media to target older adults. Learn more about how to stay vigilant against these types of scams.

The pig butchering scam is called that because it involves “fattening up” the victim, or earning trust over many months, before scamming them out of thousands of dollars. Scams like this will continue to evolve and we will be here to help you stay ahead of it.

Let's dive deeper into how to keep seniors safe from scams with Scott Lien, CEO and co-founder of GrandPad.  What are the common scams to watch out for targeting older adults? This episode provides practical tips and advice for spotting scams and how to stay ahead of them.  Visit Grandpad.net for more info.

Safe and Sound is a cyber security podcast focused on seniors and keeping them safe in a technology driven world. Episode 1 focuses on how to protect seniors from cyber criminals and common scams that target loved ones. The podcast features Scott Lien, Co-founder and CEO of GrandPad.