How to Avoid Phone and Internet Scams: A1 Holds Online Training for "Silver" Volunteers and Seniors

As part of its #ionline project and nationwide anti-online scam campaign #Take5seconds, А1 has joined efforts with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to hold a cybersecurity training session for senior citizens. The online event brought together the so-called "silver" volunteers and visitors of social services centers all over Belarus. To see the recorded livestream, head to А1 YouTube channel.

In the autumn of 2024, А1 launched its #Take5seconds, a campaign to raise awareness of protecting personal data and being extra cautious when getting requests from strangers. The easiest way to protect yourself is by taking 5 seconds to think before clicking a random link, telling a code from a text message or answering a suspicious call in a messenger.

Cyberscammers are constantly coming up with new fraud schemes. Holiday season is a busy time for scammers as they call to congratulate people on false winnings and gifts and post ads selling New Year's trees and decorations. Those falling for online scams are mostly senior citizens and people with disabilities. Together with the UNFPA and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, A1 held an online training for vulnerable groups of Internet and phone users.

During the event, an A1 expert told the participants about the importance of being cautious on the Internet and on the phone. The specialist also explained why cybercriminals introduced themselves as employees of major companies and state agencies, how to identify a scam, and what to do next.

Since its launch, the #Take5seconds campaign reached out more than 1,000 people, including social workers, "silver" volunteers, and seniors. In the November of 2024, the training was organized for employees of social services centers, who work with seniors and people with disabilities and can teach them how to avoid phone scams.

With support of the UNFPA and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, A1 put together a special brochure so that senior people have important information on cybersafety handy at all times. The brochure is available for download at safety.a1.by. Physical copies of the brochure can be found at A1 stores and social services centers all over Belarus.

#ionline project is a joint effort by A1, the UNFPA and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection. For several years now, A1 experts have been giving free classes on digital literacy in social security centers all over Belarus.