#USA #Boston #Online Safety #Aura #Trusted Family Access

Aura Launches Trusted Family Access to Enhance Protection for Aging Loved Ones

In the face of a dramatic rise in online scams targeting older adults, Aura, a leader in AI-driven online protection, has launched a groundbreaking feature named Trusted Family Access. This innovative tool seeks to empower families in safeguarding their aging relatives against fraudulent activities, all while respecting their privacy and independence.

A Growing Concern for Families

Recent statistics reveal that financial losses due to fraud among individuals aged 60 and older have skyrocketed. In 2025 alone, they reported staggering losses of $7.7 billion, marking a 59% increase from the previous year, as outlined in the FBI's Internet Crime Report. As a response to this urgent situation, Aura conducted research among 2,000 American adults aged 40 to 60 caring for aging loved ones. The results highlighted that protecting older adults from online threats is now a key aspect of modern caregiving. Approximately 70% of respondents view this as part of their caregiving role, with 63% feeling primarily accountable for their family's safety online.

_Hari Ravichandran, CEO and Founder of Aura, commented, “Families are already bearing the emotional and financial brunt of online crime, fulfilling the role of digital caregivers without specialized tools.”_

Features of Trusted Family Access

Trusted Family Access aims to simplify the monitoring process for caregivers. With the elder person's explicit consent, caregivers can access essential alerts and information regarding potential threats, including:

• - Identity theft alerts
• - Financial fraud notifications
• - Compromised password warnings
• - Changes in credit activities
• - Dark web monitoring

The system offers two main levels of access:
1. View Only: This level allows caregivers to monitor alerts and receive account information without taking any direct actions.
2. View & Act: Caregivers have the option to manage specific financial monitoring settings and update documents within Vault records, such as vital paperwork and passwords while safeguarding sensitive account actions to the account owner.

This thoughtful framework ensures that the sensitive decision-making remains with the aging individual while offering their families a necessary perspective and the capability to act if needed.

Escalating Digital Threats

The need for such a service has never been more pressing. The Aura study indicated that 65% of caregivers reported that their loved ones had fallen victim to scams in the previous year, with many losing personal information or even money. Furthermore, the introduction of AI technology has led to a surge in more sophisticated scams, exacerbating caregivers' concerns. Many now report feeling overwhelmed by the rapid evolution of scams facilitated by AI tools.

Ravichandran noted, “With the integration of AI technologies into scam tactics, it has become crucial for caregivers to have effective tools to support aging relatives.” An alarming 81% of caregivers believe that AI has intensified their worries about fraud, with many fearing that their loved ones might inadvertently engage with deceptive AI-generated content.

The Impact on Caregivers

Caring for aging individuals has placed a considerable emotional and financial burden on families, often referred to as the sandwich generation. Those who care for both children and aging parents reported that nearly 70% view themselves as the first line of defense against potential scams. Yet, only 9% trust that their loved ones can independently navigate these risks.

This added responsibility often results in a time-consuming and emotionally taxing experience for caregivers, with many dedicating over three hours monthly just to ensure their elderly relatives are safe online.

A Solution with Independence

Aura's Trusted Family Access, available on both web and mobile platforms, looks to relieve some of this pressure while maintaining the integrity of the older adults' independence. Currently, it features View Only access, while more direct View & Act functionalities are set to launch soon. In addition to consumer access, Aura plans to offer the feature through its Employee Benefits channel, paving the way for much-needed support directly linked to employees’ families.

To delve deeper into the functions and benefits of Trusted Family Access, visit buy.aura.com/better-protection-tfa.

About Aura

Aura (ASX AXQ) stands at the forefront of online safety, delivering comprehensive protection solutions against identity theft and online threats for individuals and families. Their commitment extends to families across all environments, from home to school, ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone involved.