Helping Seniors Avoid Digital Scams, One Click at a Time

Alexandria “Lexi” Lutz is a privacy attorney and the Founder of Opt-Inspire, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to helping seniors and youth build digital confidence and avoid online scams. By day, she serves as Senior Corporate Counsel at Nordstrom, advising on privacy, cybersecurity, and AI across the retail and technology landscape.

In this episode…

Online scams are becoming more sophisticated, targeting older adults with devastating financial consequences that often reach tens of thousands of dollars with little recourse. From tech support fraud to AI-driven deepfakes that mimic loved ones’ voices, these scams prey on isolation, fear, and digital inexperience. Many families struggle to protect their aging parents and grandparents, especially when conversations about digital risks are met with resistance from loved ones. How can we bridge the digital literacy gap across generations and empower seniors to navigate these evolving threats?

The urgency is real. In 2024, seniors lost nearly $5 billion to scams, a 43 percent increase from the previous year. Scammers are using voice cloning, fake emergencies, and fear-based messaging to pressure people into giving up money or sensitive personal information. Education can be a powerful defense, and that's why Opt-Inspire delivers engaging, volunteer-led workshops tailored to senior living communities, teaching practical skills like recognizing fake emails and enabling two-factor authentication. Protecting aging loved ones against technology and AI-driven scams requires proactive and hands-on education. Opt-Inspire equips seniors with the tools and knowledge to stay safe online through engaging, community-based seminars. The nonprofit delivers in-person and volunteer-led workshops tailored to senior living communities, addressing both technical literacy and emotional manipulation tactics. Through scripts, visuals, and a "Make It Personal" toolkit with conversation starters, Opt-Inspire also equips families with resources to discuss digital safety with loved ones in a constructive and relatable way. 

In this episode of She Said Privacy/He Said Security, Jodi and Justin Daniels talk with Alexandria (Lexi) Lutz, Senior Corporate Counsel at Nordstrom and Founder of Opt-Inspire, about building digital confidence among seniors. Lexi shares how a personal family experience inspired her to launch a nonprofit focused on preventing elder fraud. She delves into the most common scams targeting older adults today, including government impersonation, romance cons, and AI-generated deepfakes. Lexi emphasizes the importance of proactive education, enabling two-factor authentication, and weekly family check-ins. She also offers practical advice and resources for privacy professionals and family members alike who want to make a positive impact.