JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — In a bid to shield older residents from fraudulent schemes, state leaders are introducing a new protective measure.

During a press conference held at Cypress Village in Jacksonville, Lt. Governor Jay Collins, alongside Michelle Branham, Secretary of the Department of Elder Affairs, announced the launch of ‘Operation Senior Shield.’

“Education and awareness are crucial,” Branham stated. “Engaging in community and family discussions can make a real difference. When seniors are informed and feel empowered, they not only protect themselves and their families but also extend that protection to other seniors around them, creating a powerful ripple effect.”

Statistics from the Florida Department of Elder Affairs reveal that Americans aged 60 and above were swindled out of nearly $5 billion in 2024. Shockingly, only one in five victims report such crimes. To combat this, Collins emphasized that the initiative will unite law enforcement, governmental bodies, and seniors into a cohesive strike team to tackle this escalating problem.

“When people try to take advantage of you, it’s wrong, it’s evil. But we as a state will not stand idly by. We’re going to do everything we can to help you, but the first part of that is making sure you help protect yourself,” Collins said.

Seniors will now be able to sign up with either their phone number or email to receive alerts about current scams. The alerts will detail what the scam is, how it works and what people can do to avoid it. 

“The text alerts don’t have any clickable things or anything like that. They’re just flat alerts, but they can also go to a website, they can download things, and we’ll have it in our newsletter as well and all over our social media, so hopefully not only them but their adult children will find a way to connect with us, too.

Branham said no one should feel shame or embarrassed for falling for a scam. She hopes Operation Senior Shield will help seniors break free from the stigma surrounding scams.

“I just want to ask every Floridian to take one simple step. Talk to the seniors in your life, talk to your adult children, talk to your friends, talk to your family. Ask people, what are you encountering with the scams? Sit down, look at your phones together, look at your computers together, share what you learn. These conversations, they don’t just prevent scams — they strengthen our relationships together and restore confidence, and they mitigate that impact, that stigma of feeling embarrassed or humiliated or ashamed,” Branham said.

People can go to opseniorshieldfl.com to sign up for the alerts.