Why I Built a Scam Detection Tool for Women Over 50 (And Why It Matters More Than Ever)

I’ve always thought of myself as fairly tech-savvy. At 54, I assumed I was too smart to fall for an online scam. Then, my friend—a smart, wonderful woman navigating the fresh grief of losing her husband—started telling me about a new man she'd met online. My heart sank. I knew, with a gut-wrenching certainty, that she was being targeted. And I felt powerless to help her.

The Problem I Discovered

Following my friend’s unfortunate experience with a romance scammer, I went down a deep research rabbit-hole to find out more about what’s really happening in the Scam Scene these days. I uncovered some shocking and disturbing statistics that really brought home to me the seriousness and the extent of the issue.

Did you know women over 50 lose more money to romance scams than any other group?

Major life changes such as loss, divorce, empty nest, even going through menopause can create the kind of emotional vulnerability that scammers prey on. One example of risky exposure to scams is apparent within dating apps, as they often tend to focus on matches, not safety.

Social media has plenty of support groups but even they struggle to keep the scammers at bay. During a conversation I had with the admin of a large bereavement group she said ‘We do try to keep them out, but they are sneaky and our group is so large now that it feels impossible to keep them out’

The Emotional Impact
It’s not just about the money either, the emotional impact of being hooked by a scammer leaves a deep scar of distrust and shattered confidence, with many women hiding their experiences behind feelings of shame and embarrassment. When it happens during a time of grief or depression the impact is a double-whammy of soul-destroying emotions, at a time when comfort and compassion is needed the most.

Why Women our Age Are Targeted

Scammers know that we probably have assets at our age, and if they already know from the groups that we’re in, for example mature dating or bereavement groups, then we’re likely to find ourselves living alone, possibly for the first time and it can feel very lonely at time. We’re also seen as possibly less tech-savvy - certainly most of us don’t have the technical skills of the scammers, who are increasingly becoming very organised, working as teams and often from quite a young age.

The Vision

The more I researched, the more I discovered that women over 50 are a very under-served demographic in respects of the internet. As in real life, we can find ourselves feeling unseen, unheard and without a voice. I realized we needed our own tools, built by someone who understands our experience.

I confess to really not being that tech-savvy myself, and I’m pretty new to web app development - every day is a school day! But I thrive on challenge and it became my vision and mission to learn how to protect women like us through early warning systems.

My First Step Towards a Solution: The SafeChat Tool

I knew I couldn't just stand by. So I built something.

It's called SafeChat, and it's a free, AI-powered tool right here on my website. You can paste in a conversation, and it will give you an instant "vibe check," analyzing it for common scam patterns.

This is my first step, and I need your help.

The tool is live, it works, but it's in what the tech world calls "beta." That means it's learning. And the best way for it to learn is with your real-world experience.

I am personally inviting you to try the tool today. And if you find it helpful, there's a form right on the page to join the official beta-testing team. This isn't just about trying an app; it's about becoming part of a movement to build the tools our community deserves.

Click the button below to join the Beta Tester Program

How it helps

Although it’s still early days it’s my hope that it will you confidence to trust your instincts, if something feels off then it probably is. Seeing in plain black and white the advice to ‘block and move on’ might just be the little push you need if you’re unsure what to do.

Why it's different

As far as I know I can’t find anything like it already online. It’s built specifically for our demographic, our worries and concerns. Future development could include creating a mobile app for even more convenience, in your pocket.

This is Bigger Than One App

The SafeChat tool is just the beginning.

My ultimate mission is to build the true sanctuary our generation deserves—a private, vetted online space where connection is real, and safety is a given. It's a place called The Comfort Zone, and the path to get there is The Connection Compass.

But it all starts with this first, practical step. We've spent decades developing our wisdom and intuition. Now, let's use technology to amplify those instincts and protect our hearts.

Because staying safe online isn't about being paranoid—it's about being prepared.

Thank you for reading.

Samantha