Charity helps seniors fight back against cyber criminals

Posted on 25 Jun 2024

By Greg Thom, journalist, Institute of Community Directors Australia

A new charity dedicated to helping Australian seniors grapple with the threat and impact of cyber crime has just been launched.

Kick-Ass Seniors, the first charity of its type in Australia, was created to support seniors aged 65 and over targeted by online scammers, offering emotional support, legal advice and financial assistance to help them recover from trauma and financial loss inflicted by cyber criminals.

More than 76,000 seniors fell victim to online scams in 2023, netting cyber crooks more than $82 million.

Kick-Ass Seniors will provide a range of free services including:

a helpline offering advice in real time when a cyber crime has been detected
access to a face-to-face call with a computer technician
ongoing support programs including online workshops and community forums
advice on how to spot common cyber threats such as email phishing scams, and how to create secure passwords
a dedicated Kick-Ass app.

The founder and CEO of Kick-Ass Seniors, Wahid Siddique, said seniors are often targeted by cyber criminals because of their perceived lack of technical knowledge and potential financial resources.

His organisation’s mission is to empower and protect seniors in the digital age through technology.

“Whether it’s their last $50 or $50,000, the impact of this type of financial loss, the sense of humiliation and embarrassment, leave our seniors feeling a great sense of shame,” said Mr Siddique.

“This is why we created Kick-Ass Seniors.”

“We are committed to equipping seniors with the knowledge, tools, and support they need to navigate the digital landscape safely, maintain their independence, and enjoy a secure online experience.”

Founder and CEO of Kick-Ass Seniors, Wahid Siddique.

In one example of the potentially devastating impact of cybercrime on the lives of seniors, the Kick-Ass Seniors website recounts the story of 102-year-old grandmother Nancy Pun, who lost her $375,000 aged care home deposit in an email hacking incident.

Mr Siddique said improving technology skills played a vital role in increasing older Australians’ sense of inclusion and their capacity to stay connected with loved ones and the community.

He said increasing seniors’ ability to deal with the threat of cybercrime formed part of Kick-Ass Seniors’ broader education program, which aimed to enable them to use technology in a healthy, confident way.

“We are committed to equipping seniors with the knowledge, tools, and support they need to navigate the digital landscape safely, maintain their independence, and enjoy a secure online experience,” said Mr Siddique.