Emmanuel Cudjoe, 2023 Scholarship Recipient

Date of report: 24th October 2025

Third (3) community service

Title: Protecting the Elderly from Mobile Money & Phone Scams

Introduction

In recent times, I have noticed an increasing trend of mobile money scams both within my community and across the country. A significant number of people, particularly the elderly, have fallen victim to these fraudulent phone calls and messages. Scammers often employ deceptive tactics such as pretending to have sent money by mistake, announcing fake prizes, or issuing threats to block the victim’s account, all in an attempt to create fear and confusion.

Because many elderly individuals are less familiar with technology and may often trust callers easily, they are more likely to fall prey to these tricks, leading to significant financial losses and emotional distress.

Recognizing this as a rising problem and a serious threat to the safety of vulnerable members of my community, I decided to conduct an awareness outreach to educate and empower the elderly on how to identify, avoid, and respond wisely to mobile money scams.

Here is a summary of what I did.

To begin each conversation, I asked if anyone has ever received such a call/text to open discussion and make it relatable.  Most people had either fallen victim or knew a relative who has. I made them aware that if money was really sent mistakenly, the sender must go to the telecom office, not call you.

• Banks/telecoms NEVER ask for your PIN on phone calls.

• No prize is free—if you didn’t join a promo, you didn’t win.

• The threats they use are false.

What to Do When Such Calls/Text Come

1. Stay calm—don’t panic.

2. Do not send back any money through instructions they give.

3. Never share your PIN or personal details.

4. Hang up immediately.

5. If worried, go to the telecom office or ask a trusted family member for help.

This service is very important because;

Many people have lost their pension money, savings, or business money to these tricks. • Protecting yourself helps protect your family too.

      • Once money is sent to scammers, it’s almost impossible to get back.

It was a very interesting and interactive experience. The elderly participants were eager to share their personal experiences and ask questions about the scam calls they had received. Through open discussion and examples, they were able to understand how these scams work and the simple steps they can take to protect themselves. The session helped build their confidence in handling suspicious calls and messages. Overall, the outreach was impactful and fulfilling, as it addressed a real problem affecting the community and empowered the elderly with knowledge to stay safe.