Are there senior resources for teaching online safety?

NavigatingLife: I suggest that you look at the following site - https://ncoa.org. Pull up "How Seniors Can Avoid Sweetheart Scams."

Also, you probably want to edit your profile to indicate that your father does NOT have dementia as you mention further down this thread.

Navigating

Do a google search for “Dr. Phil seniors scammed”

Your dad may not enjoy his show but he might be able to relate to other seniors being scammed and pick up some tips on how to spot the tells. If someone could watch with him and then just discuss what happened it could be helpful.

There is even one where he uses the AARP suggestions on his show. It might be helpful.

My cousin takes her dad (87) to the senior center for lunch every day where he visits with other seniors and she takes him to senior dances. If there is any way for your dad to be around other folks his age, it might help.

Nothing useful to add here except my father is doing the same thing.
I dont even try to control it anymore . My father fancies himself a player lol
so he falls for all the 30 year olds that say they want 87 year old men.

He actually gave one woman a deposit for a house

I would definitely try AAARP and AAA (you or Dad will need to be a member). I believe the one of the federal agencies also put out something but I will have to search for it.

In my area we have some very active senior citizen centers. Almost all of them have volunteer students who come in and work with seniors to make them comfortable on the internet and almost all have periodic sessions about online safety. In addition to learning Dad will be getting out of the house and meeting and greeting new people some of whom he might share a common interest. This could be a win-win for everyone.
Good Luck... if I find anything else I will PM you.

Just read about the RAZ phone (I think it was this forum): Now, I see there's an online Alzheimer's store? I will be reading more about this, this afternoon, but thought this might be helpful for patients who get themselves into trouble or "sticky" situations.

RAZ Memory Cell Phone 
https://www.alzstore.com/RAZ-Memory-Cell-Phone-for-Seniors-p/0039.htm?utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Alzheimer%27s%20-%20RAZ%20Mobile%20Phones%20-%20tRoas&utm_medium=ppc

Your profile says that your father has dementia. In this case (and because he keeps making the same mistake over and over) No amount of "educating" him will have any impact because he is actively losing his abilities of reason and logic. If you don't want to have him live with you and provide all his care until he passes because he has blown all his resources, you will now need to intervene in a more strategic way. You may need to put limits on his internet access, hire a companion aid to keep him occupied or take him to adult day programs -- whatever keeps him out of digital trouble. I wish I had an "easier" solution for you. My in-laws entered their elder years penniless and up to their necks in debt. One had Parkinsons and one had severe short-term memory loss. It was a poop-show for everyone until we got them on Medicaid and into a facility.

If your father has dementia, you will need to be doing this anyway at some future point in time, so why not start it sooner rather than wait for a bigger crisis? If you are his FPoA maybe open up a joint savings account and put the bulk of his money in that while leaving only a minimum in his checking. This way he can't easily access it and neither can scammers. Or, give him a pre-paid debit or cc. Change the passwords to his other assets so that he can't access them or give them out. Maybe consider something like LifeLock to alert you to any ID theft. I'm so sorry because I know how stressful this can be. My in-laws "fell apart" when my husband and I were working full-time in our business and trying to raise 3 young sons. They made no plans for their care whatsoever, saved no money, thought we'd be their "solution". If necessary, don't hesitate to consider a Geriatric Care manager either. Well worth the money (that should come out of your father's assets).

I recently had an issue myself with scammers and spammers. Found out there's such a thing as a Burner Phone app. This gives you the ability of having "back-up" phone numbers that you can "discard" to keep the phishers and abusers away. More work for you but an interesting option. Google has an option for this too, but IMHO they already have too much control and access into our lives. I wish you much success in getting things under control!

There is a very short video and some articles available via aarp.org, if you are a member.

This is so common in the past few years (worse since the pandemic) - and they prey on kind people. A smart and sophisticated friend of mine recently fell victim to an online scam through someone she "met" on social media. A woman in my mother's senior facility lost her life savings through an online scam. Seniors are particularly vulnerable. I subscribe to the FTC scam notification list. You can sign up for their emails on this page https://consumer.ftc.gov/scams, tap Get Consumer Alerts. And they do occasionally include short videos. There are several red flags, such as when they tell you not to discuss it with anyone, and then ask for money, especially when they want it in crypto currency or gift cards. An online acquaintance shouldn't be asking for money, and if you could get your father to discuss it with you when they ask for money you'd be able to help him figure out if the person is legitimate. Often you just have to 'google' the name of the person and you'll find information and warnings about their scam.

AARP has some of the best resources out there aimed at seniors. https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/

They have a free fraud watch network, which even includes a helpline. https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/about-fraud-watch-network/?intcmp=AE-SCM-FRD-ABT

They also have interesting podcasts about actual cases and up to date information about the latest frauds and scams.

If your dad uses the internet and his email is entered on a lot of sites, that is a major source of fraud attempts. Almost very day I get emails not blocked by my spam filter that pretend to be from places such as Paypal and Amazon or other organizations that I've used. sometimes they are from banks where I don't have accounts, and those are easy to spot. You might want to urge him to change his email address and only give it out very selectively to a few trusted people and sites.

NavigatingLife (I like that acronym!), you wrote:

"he's really lonely. It's easier to meet "people" online, even though it's not really real. This instant gratification bump is what keeps him coming back."

What did your father do for a living when he was working? Are there any local clubs, groups, etc. that might focus on this? Woodworking, for example, or fishing (even just talking), or some other interest? Finding a group with similar interests could also create instant gratification.

I felt that some years ago when I jointed a literature group. That sense of bonding really is a stimulant.

Just a thought...I haven't researched these recently but do recall that the FTC, perhaps the FBI and the state in which he lives might have cautions, warnings, and suggestions on their websites. AARP and the AAA may have something on their sites as well.

Some years ago I learned that our State police force created a task force addressing scams, but I don't know w/o research if other states have done this as well.

I am a bit confused.
You say in your profile that dad has Alzheimer's/dementia but in your comment after my post you say that there is no dementia diagnosis.
That changes much of my answer to...
Since he is cognizant there really is not much you can do about what he does.

since he has been diagnosed with dementia he should not have access to his bank accounts nor to a credit card. (if he must have a credit card get one with a minimal amount on it, a pre loaded card, or talk to the card company about a low limit.
Use the parental control on the computer to limit his access to sites.
At some point the computer might have to "break down" or get a "virus" and have to be removed.

One other comment...you say he lives on his own. That should probably change unless he has a caregiver with him. It is to easy for someone with dementia to wander off or to leave the stove on, the water running or just letting people into the house.

My father has dementia and we, too, were concerned with internet and phone scams that could pose a danger. I went ahead and placed his internet access on some family-safe filters so that some (probably not all) of that is just not accessible. This might be an option?

It may be time to place Dad if he has the money. Somewhere where he doesn't have access to the WiFi. Where he has socialization. Are you POA? If not, you should have him assign you and make it immediate, if he understands what POA means. If not, then you may need to get guardianship. Your father has a Dementia which will only worsen. He cannot be reasoned with or make informed decisions. You need to take over his money so he can't be giving it to strangers. This is how u protect him.

You act like he is perfectly normal, he isn't. Dementia damages the brain. Even in the early stages, a person suffering from a Dementia cannot make decisions concerning their welfare. Watching a video will not help because Dad probably has short-term memory loss.