I am excited to share our vision for addressing growing challenge of phone scams. While these schemes impact people of all ages and backgrounds, we have identified a critical need to focus our initial efforts on senior citizens—a demographic that is disproportionately targeted for phone scams and often faces unique challenges in navigating modern tools to help them fight back.

At VeriTalk, we believe that creating solutions for seniors is not just about addressing a problem; it’s about restoring trust and empowering individuals to stay connected with the people they love. Our mission is to make phone communications safer and more accessible for everyone, starting with those who need our help the most.

Why We’re Focusing on Seniors

Seniors are among the most vulnerable victims of phone scams. According to recent studies, older adults are targeted by scammers at disproportionately high rates, often due to a combination of factors: they may be less familiar with evolving digital threats, or they may feel more inclined to trust unfamiliar callers who pretend to represent reputable organizations like government agencies or family members in distress. They also have a larger net worth on average, which can result in a better outcome for the caller.

At the same time, seniors are deeply committed to maintaining their independence and staying connected with loved ones. Many rely on phone calls as a primary means of communication, making them especially vulnerable to scams that exploit this reliance. However, they are also increasingly turning to smartphones for everyday needs, from managing health appointments to staying in touch with family.

By focusing on seniors, we aim to make a very meaningful difference for a specific group of people. It will not only addresses their unique vulnerabilities but also aligns with their lifestyle and preferences. Our solution is designed to provide peace of mind while ensuring ease of use—something seniors often prioritize when adopting new technologies.

How Seniors Want to Purchase Services for Their Smartphones

When it comes to purchasing services for smartphones, seniors approach the decision-making process with a focus on trust, simplicity, and value. They are less likely to rely on app stores or online reviews than younger generations; instead, they often turn to trusted sources like friends, family, or recommendations from local community organizations.

Here’s how we’re approaching this:

• Trustworthy Partnerships

  • We are collaborating with organizations that seniors already trust, such as senior centers, health care providers, and local libraries.
  • These partnerships allow us to reach seniors where they feel comfortable and informed.

• Simplified User Experience

  • Seniors value tools that are familiar and easy to use.
  • Our solution is designed with an minimal interface to minimizes complexity, ensuring that even those who are less tech-savvy can navigate it confidently.

• Affordable Pricing Models

  • We recognize that affordability is a key concern for many seniors.
  • Our pricing will be competitive and transparent, one simple plan providing the best protection.

• Personalized Support

  • Seniors often prefer human interaction when making purchasing decisions.
  • We are building a customer support team that can provide one-on-one assistance over the phone or in person, ensuring that they feel supported throughout the process.

How Seniors Consume Media—and What That Means for Advertising

Understanding how seniors consume media is critical to crafting effective advertising strategies. Unlike younger generations, who are highly engaged with social media and digital platforms, older adults tend to rely on traditional forms of media, such as television, newspapers, and radio.

Here’s how we’re planning our marketing efforts:

• Television Advertising: TV remains a dominant medium for seniors. We plan to run ads during programs that appeal to this demographic, such as daytime talk shows, cooking programs, and crime dramas—genres that often resonate with older audiences.

• Radio Campaigns: Local radio stations are another effective channel. Seniors often tune into talk radio or classic music stations, which provide opportunities for targeted messaging.

• Print Media: Newspapers and community bulletins remain popular among seniors. We will place ads in local publications to reach people where they already turn for news and information.

• Community Engagement: Beyond traditional media, we are investing in grassroots campaigns. This includes sponsoring events at senior centers, hosting workshops on phone safety, and distributing informational brochures.

• Digital Advertising with a Twist: While seniors may not be as active on social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok, they do use email and certain websites (e.g., for health information). We plan to leverage these channels with simple, clear messaging that aligns with their interests and needs.

VeriTalk’s Vision for the Future

We are sharing these details about our goals because our journey is just beginning, and we want to hear from you. We are committed to listening to feedback from our users as we continue to refine and expand our offerings. Since we are a small start-up company, we can't spread ourselves too thin. We believe that by starting with seniors, we can build a secure foundation upon which we will innovate to make our services relevant for wider groups of people in the future.

Together, let’s make phone communications safer, simpler, and more secure—for today’s seniors and for future generations to come.

In our next post, we'll discuss where we are in development and our approach to creating a solution that can make a difference for many people.