Operation Senior Shield to protect older adults from exploitation

Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) Secretary Michelle Branham have announced the launch of Operation Senior Shield (OSS), a new, statewide initiative designed to protect older Floridians from the growing threat of scams, fraud and financial exploitation.

Operation Senior Shield provides older adults, caregivers and families with fast, free scam alerts, enhanced statewide coordination with law enforcement and critical tools to stay informed and secure.

Collins highlighted the importance of swift and aggressive action.

“Our seniors have spent their lives serving their families and communities, and they deserve to be protected from criminals who target them,” he said. “Operation Senior Shield is our answer to that threat and a mission to keep seniors safe. Too many older Floridians are being targeted by scammers, and it is time to push back and take this fight directly to them.”

Branham emphasized the personal impact of the exploitation and the urgency behind the new program.

“As a state, we recognize how serious — and how personal — this issue is for so many Florida families,” she said. “When a senior is targeted or exploited, it doesn’t just affect their bank account — it shakes their dignity, their confidence and their sense of security. I’ve seen firsthand what that looks like for someone I love, and it stays with you. That is why Operation Senior Shield means so much to me. We are taking decisive action to push back, stay ahead of these criminals and give our seniors the protection and peace of mind they deserve."

Operation Senior Shield delivers a comprehensive defense strategy, including:

• Real-time scam alerts: A free alert system delivering timely, critical information on scams circulating in Florida and across the nation. Seniors and caregivers will receive advanced notice of threats before scammers reach their door, inbox or phone.

• Statewide fraud strike team: A specialized, multi-disciplinary team comprised of cybersecurity experts, law enforcement, state agencies, community leaders and a senior representative. This team will work collaboratively to share intelligence, proactively raise awareness, and respond quickly to emerging threats.

• Education and prevention tools: Easy-to-understand resources and engaging, hands-on experiences, including innovative “scam the scammers” exercises. Under guidance from ethical hackers and cybersecurity experts, seniors will learn how schemes work in a safe environment, gaining the confidence and skills to recognize and stop scams before they take hold.

Operation Senior Shield also encourages all Floridians to actively engage in the effort: talk to the seniors in your life, review suspicious emails or calls together and share the alerts with family, neighbors and community groups.

For more information or to sign up for alerts, go to opseniorshieldfl.com.