In our latest blog post, Rafael Rivera highlights the rising threat of online scams, and the important role cybersecurity plays in protecting families across generations. He also introduces NAGRA Scout Scam Detector, a new tool designed to simplify online safety and empower users to take control.
A few years ago, if you asked me what it meant to protect my family, I probably would have said things like keeping them safe on the road, helping them with school, or reminding them to turn off the stove.
But today, protection means something new — and is far more invisible. It means protecting my parents from scams disguised as package deliveries. It means protecting my kids from sketchy websites and suspicious links disguised as memes or giveaways. And it means keeping everyone “digital safe” in a world where cyber threats are not just real — they’re omnipresent and relentless.
Like many of you, I’m part of the “sandwich generation.” I have teens finding their digital independence and parents navigating tech they didn’t grow up with. I’m the go-to tech support guy, the family IT manager, and increasingly, the one trying to outsmart the scam artists, aided and abetted by increasingly powerful AI tools, who never seem to take a break.
I can’t be everywhere at once. But with tools like NAGRA Scout Scam Detector, I don’t have to be.
The Everyday Threats That Don’t Feel So Obvious
It used to be that scams were easy to spot for most of us.
They were the loud and obvious, “You’ve won a million dollars!” pop-ups we used to see.
Now, they come disguised in calm, ordinary messages.
“Your package is on the way. Click here to track it.”
“Update your Netflix billing info to avoid service disruption.”
“Mom, can you send me money? I lost my phone.”
And they don’t just target the elderly. Or the young. Or the careless. They target everyone.
That’s why when we launched Scam Detector as part of NAGRA Scout, it hit home for me — because it’s personal. Just last month, my Dad got an email saying there was a problem with his retirement account and urging him to log in to fix it. It looked official. It used the right logo. And it landed at just the right time — he had been talking about making some changes to his account.
He almost clicked. But something didn’t feel right. He thankfully called me first and we figured out it was a scam before any damage was done. That moment made it crystal clear: if a link like that can almost fool my Dad, it can fool anyone.
Empowering Families — Not Just Securing Devices
The idea behind the NAGRA Scout Scam Detector is simple: give people — and families like mine — a fast, easy way to check if a message is safe before they click.
- Got a sketchy link in a text? Paste it into Scam Detector and see if it’s legit.
- Not sure about an email with that link your teen got on their laptop? Check it without needing a security degree.
- Is Mom unsure if that message is really from her bank? One tap. Instant clarity.
It’s more than a feature. It’s a digital safety net. And for me — and so many others like me — it’s peace of mind.
But let’s be honest — you and I can’t be everywhere.
We can’t follow our parents around to check their phones.
We can’t read every message our kids get.
But with tools like this, we can give them a way to protect themselves.
That’s what is so valuable about NAGRA Scout — it interacts with consumers like you and me whether we’re out and about or at home without requiring us to become cybersecurity experts. It puts safety into the hands of regular users, with everyday language and effortless use.
Designed for Simplicity — Powered by AI
Behind the scenes, NAGRA Scout’s Scam Detector works hard — using AI-powered analysis to spot risks fast, so you don’t have to.
That means:
- It’s constantly learning from real scam patterns.
- It adapts as new threats emerge.
- It gives users a response in plain, understandable terms.
You don’t get a technical report. You get a clear answer.
“This looks suspicious.”
“This link is safe.”
“Here’s why we flagged it.”
And it works across all kinds of devices. Whether you’re on your phone, your kid’s phone or your parent’s tablet, you’re covered.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
If you’ve ever had to warn a parent about a fake email, or stop your teen from clicking a too-good-to-be-true link, you’re not alone.
In 2024, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received over 859,000 cybercrime complaints, totaling a record $16.6 billion in reported losses — a 33% increase from the prior year. (See FBI IC3 2024 Report).
Who’s getting hit hardest?
- Older adults (60+) filed over 147,000 complaints — a 46% year-over-year jump — and lost a staggering $4.9 billion, with 7,500 victims each losing more than $100,000. Phishing and spoofing scams accounted for 23,000+ complaints from this age group alone.
- Families and individuals aged 30–59 collectively lost over $6.1 billion to cybercrime in 2024 — including phishing, investment scams, romance fraud, tech support cons, and more.
- Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams caused $2.77 billion in losses in 2024 — making them one of the most financially damaging cybercrimes for companies and individuals alike.
These aren’t fringe cases — they’re everyday occurrences, happening to people who thought they’d never fall for a scam.
This isn’t just about cybersecurity. It’s about trust. And for Telcos and broadband providers, that trust is everything.
By offering NAGRA Scout with Scam Detector, operators give subscribers a real reason to stay. They go from being service providers to digital safety partners — helping families protect their personal information, their finances, and their peace of mind. And that’s a powerful shift.
Building the Digital Safety Net — One Family at a Time
I think about the future a lot. Not just professionally, but personally. I think about how my kids will soon be making their own decisions online. I think about how my parents are using apps and services more than ever. I think about how I can’t be in five places at once — even though sometimes I wish I could be.
And that’s why tools like Scam Detector matter.
- They fill in the gaps.
- They reduce the “what ifs.”
- They empower the people I care about.
We built Scam Detector not just as a feature — but as a cybersecurity coach to extend peace of mind, one family, one message, and one moment at a time.
If you’re a service provider looking to strengthen trust with your subscribers and deliver more value to their connected lives, we’d love to help.
Contact us to learn how NAGRA Scout — and new features like Scam Detector — can help you protect your consumers, strengthen loyalty, and build safer digital experiences for families everywhere. Visit our website for more information and resources, and let’s continue the conversation.
