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Senior citizens learn how to spot scams, stay safe online
Summary by Frisco News Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Wayne Carter , NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Local
· July 21, 2026
· 3 min read
Retired airline ad executive Barbara Hawkins says she and her friends are always being targeted by scammers. “I got an email that I opened up that was from a classmate of mine about a party, or some get-together,” said Hawkins. But that link turned out to be a way for scammers to get into her com...
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Summary created by Frisco News Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Wayne Carter, NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Local Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 21, 2026 Indexed here Jul 21, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway And then to send it out to people who had been in my contact list that I may not have talked to for 10 or 15 years, and it actually sent it to them,” she said.
Why this matters in Frisco News
The effort to educate seniors on spotting scams and staying safe online has significant implications for Frisco's community, where a growing population of retirees are increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. As seniors like Barbara Hawkins become more tech-savvy, they are also more likely to be targeted by scammers, making initiatives like the classes at the Singing Hills Senior Center crucial. The fact that local companies like Spectrum and Compudot are involved in providing these classes and resources suggests a recognition of the need for community-wide efforts to protect seniors from online threats. Furthermore, the demand for classes on digital couponing and online shopping highlights the importance of making technology accessible and user-friendly for seniors, allowing them to take advantage of the benefits of online services while minimizing the risks. By providing seniors with the knowledge and tools to navigate the online world safely, Frisco can help ensure that its older residents remain connected and engaged without falling prey to scams and cyber threats.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Local . Frisco News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Local . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 21, 2026 ·
Source: NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Local ·
Reading time: 3 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Retired airline ad executive Barbara Hawkins says she and her friends are always being targeted by scammers. “I got an email that I opened up that was from a classmate of mine about a party, or some get-together,” said Hawkins. But that link turned out to be a way for scammers to get into her com...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 21, 2026 by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Local and curated for Frisco News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Wayne Carter at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Local. To learn more about how Frisco News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Frisco News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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