Advances in artificial intelligence have led to an increase in online fraud, with individuals over age 60 often the most vulnerable. In 2024, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation's Internet Crime Complaint Center saw the proliferation of voice-cloned phone calls and AI-generated images used in romance and financial frauds generate a 14% rise in incident reports by elders.
To combat the risk amongst seniors, Nordstrom Senior Corporate Counsel Lexi Lutz, AIGP, CIPP/E, CIPP/US, FIP, founded Opt-Inspire, a digital education nonprofit aiming to teach older individuals about potential harms and how to protect themselves from predatory behavior online.
Lutz founded the organization after she "realized that not only was there a need in the senior living community space, but there was also interest by other professionals like myself who were either interested in privacy or tech in general, who had a special skill set and wanted to use it for the greater good, to protect these more vulnerable populations."
Since Opt-Inspire's 2024 launch, more than 750 privacy professionals have volunteered to give interactive and approachable presentations that have reached more than 1,000 individuals. The organization focuses its sessions on reminding seniors to remain skeptical, never share personal information over the phone or online, and learn to recognize common red flags, including level of urgency and offers that seem too good to be true.
The presentations highlight common consumer fraud risks, including phishing, romance scams, tech support fraud and government impersonation. "These scams change over time, so we work hard to keep our materials fresh," said Lutz, noting phishing remains the most prevalent threat across age groups.
She indicated privacy professionals are uniquely positioned to help individuals learn about digital risks and appropriate safeguards.
"We are literally in the profession of protecting people's information, and ensuring that people have control over their information," Lutz said. "And, you know, even if you work for a company, you still are kind of the main individual within your company that is protecting people's information, whether that's customers or employees or consumers of your product."
Particularly vulnerable individuals "need someone they can trust to break down dangers online into simple, everyday behaviors and habits that they can incorporate into their lives," according to Lutz. The combination of expertise and general human compassion displayed by participating privacy pros is going a long way toward cementing a lasting impact.
In addition to its community education work, Opt-Inspire has partnered with Tech Me Kid for its 1 Million Secure Together initiative, which aims to reach 1 million individuals with education between October 2025 and September 2026. The campaign relies on in-person outreach, social media and a weekly newsletter designed to deliver quick and shareable privacy and cybersecurity tips.
"This year we are really running to the problem because we believe that a lot of these communities either don't know what help to ask for, or they don't know who to go to. And so, we want to get the word out there to as many people who can benefit," Lutz said.
Opt-Inspire will continue to expand its focus to include children’s digital safety, launching toolkits and pilot programs in North Carolina schools. Lutz claimed many online risks faced by children are also faced by older individuals, "obviously for different reasons, but because they didn't grow up in an environment where they are used to interacting with individuals online, there is almost an automatic trust. When, in reality, it should probably be zero trust."
Though policy solutions for protecting seniors online remain limited, Lutz believes education is the most effective tool available today. "Absent specific legislation, education is what we can do right now," said Lutz.
Lexie White is a staff writer for the IAPP.
