How to protect older parents from scam links

Scam texts and emails are written to rush people into tapping a link. You can’t stop them all arriving, but you can set up a parent’s phone and computer so links are checked first, and agree a few simple rules together. Everything here is free and takes about 10 minutes.

Updated 20 October 2026 · 4 min read

Set it up together

Five free steps, about 10 minutes

These five steps are free. If you’re thinking of adding a paid safety app too, check the price and what it adds.

  1. 1

    Turn on Chrome’s Enhanced protection

    On their computer, open Chrome, then More (⋮) › Settings › Privacy and security › Security, and choose Enhanced protection. Chrome then warns about more dangerous sites, downloads and extensions.

  2. 2

    Add Peekray to Chrome

    Peekray shows where a link really goes when they rest the pointer on it, gives a clear answer such as Safe, Check first or Scam, and asks before a likely scam opens. It’s free, with no account.

  3. 3

    Turn on spam protection in Google Messages

    On an Android phone, open Messages, tap their profile picture, then Messages settings › Protection and safety › Spam protection, and switch it on. Messages then warns about suspected spam.

  4. 4

    Put Peekray on their home screen

    Open peekray.com/share on their phone and add it to the home screen. When a text, WhatsApp message or email looks odd, they can paste it there and see where its links go before tapping.

  5. 5

    Save these numbers in their phone

    UK: 159 reaches most big banks safely. UK and US: forward scam texts to 7726 (free in the UK). US: also save the AARP Fraud Watch helpline, 877-908-3360.

Agree together

Three rules that stop most scams

  1. 01

    Don’t tap links in messages you weren’t expecting

    Go to the company’s app or website yourself, or paste the message into Peekray first.

  2. 02

    If it’s about money, stop and call back

    Use a number you already know. For a bank in the UK, call 159 or the number on the back of the card. Real banks and the police never rush you or ask you to move money.

  3. 03

    Ask before you act

    Agree that they can always check with you, without feeling silly. Scammers rely on people deciding alone and in a hurry.

Already clicked or paid? What to do now

Numbers to keep

Where to report a scam and get help

In the UK

A scam text
Forward it to 7726 for free. It spells SPAM on the keypad.
A scam email
Forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk.
Lost money
Call the bank on 159 or the number on their card, then report it to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.
Advice for older people
Age UK’s free Advice Line: 0800 678 1602, 8am to 7pm, every day of the year.

In the US

A scam text
Forward it to 7726 (SPAM).
Any scam
Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Advice and support
AARP Fraud Watch Network helpline, free: 877-908-3360, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm ET.

Let Peekray do it

Check a link before anyone taps it.

Add to Chrome, it’s freeCheck on your phone

FAQ

Common questions

What is the best free way to protect an elderly parent from scam links?

Turn on Chrome’s Enhanced protection and Android’s spam protection, add a free link checker such as Peekray so they can see where a link goes before they click, and agree a simple rule: don’t tap links in unexpected messages, and call back on a known number about anything to do with money.

Is there a free browser extension to protect older people from scams?

Yes. Peekray is free, with no account: it shows where a link really goes and asks before a likely scam opens. Malwarebytes Browser Guard is also free and blocks known bad sites as they load.

How can my parent check a text message they’re not sure about?

Paste the whole message into Peekray’s phone page at peekray.com/share. It picks out the links and shows where each one really goes, with a clear answer, without opening them.

What should they do if they’ve already clicked or paid?

If they paid or gave bank details, call the bank straight away on the number on their card (or 159 in the UK), then report it to Report Fraud (Police Scotland on 101 in Scotland), or ReportFraud.ftc.gov in the US. Our guide for after clicking goes through each case.

Sources

Where this advice comes from

Guides

More help