Florida Launches Operation Senior Shield To Protect Older Adults From Scams And 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. This initiative reflects Florida’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its rapidly growing senior population while simultaneously empowering them to recognize and quickly respond to threats.

Lieutenant Governor Collins highlighted the importance of swift and aggressive action, stating, "Our seniors have spent their lives serving their families and communities, and they deserve to be protected from criminals who target them. 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."

Lieutenant Governor Collins continued, "With real-time alerts, a statewide fraud strike team and tools that help seniors recognize scams before they happen, we are putting the power back in their hands. Florida is not an easy target on my watch. I am grateful to Secretary Branham and Governor DeSantis for backing this effort as we work to protect the people who mean so much to our state."

Secretary Michelle Branham emphasized the personal impact of this 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," said Secretary Branham. "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 & 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. These important conversations help protect more seniors and strengthen relationships across the state.

Florida continues to lead the nation in protecting older adults. With Operation Senior Shield, seniors are safer, empowered, and supported – and scammers are on notice.

For more information or to sign up for alerts, visit: https://opseniorshieldfl.com/.