Secure the Present.
Protect the Future.
Our Mission
Defender of the Cybernetic Citadel (DotCC) exists to protect and empower older adults before, during, and after cybercrime incidents through cybersecurity education, recovery support, advocacy, and trusted community partnerships.
Founded by a Senior Security Specialist at Microsoft, DotCC leverages enterprise cybersecurity expertise and a network of security professionals to help vulnerable populations defend against evolving digital threats.
Donate
Donations are used to create proactive cybersecurity guides that are distributed at Senior Centers, Nursing Homes, etc., in addition to remediation efforts that are required for those that are victims of cyber crime.
In 2025, more than 201,000 adults aged 60 and older reported losses exceeding $7.7 billion to the IC3, the FBI’s Tracking Database.
This is a 37% increase in one year .
The average loss per victim was over $38,000, and more than 12,000 older adults reported losing more than $100,000.
Top Elder Fraud Scam Categories
Impersonation / Emergency Scams
Grandparent scams, crisis calls, fake attorneys, gag‑order claims, cash‑by‑mail, courier pickups
Romance
Online relationships, emotional manipulation, requests for money
Investment & Cryptocurrency
Fake advisors, fraudulent investment platforms, crypto wallet transfers, Ponzi schemes
Utility & Service Provider
Fake electric/water/phone shutoff threats, urgent payment demands
Identity Theft & Account Takeover
Phishing, stolen personal data, fraudulent accounts, tax fraud
Tech‑Support Scams
Fake virus alerts, pop‑ups, remote access, refund scams, “accidental overpayment” scams
Fake Charity & Disaster Relief
Fake nonprofits, disaster‑specific scams, fraudulent GoFundMe campaigns
Sweepstakes, Lottery & Inheritance
“You’ve won!” claims, upfront fees, taxes, or processing charges
Financial Institution Impersonation
Fake bank fraud departments, “your account is compromised,” requests to move money
Phantom Hacker Scams
Multi‑phase: tech support → bank fraud department → government impersonation.
Health Care, Medicare & Prescription
Fake medical equipment, genetic testing fraud, Medicare billing scams
Government Impersonation
IRS, SSA, Medicare, Federal Reserve, law enforcement, threats of arrest or account seizure
Home Repair & Contractor
Storm‑chaser contractors, upfront payment theft, unfinished work
Online Marketplace & Classifieds
Fake buyers/sellers, overpayment scams, shipping label fraud, item theft
Request More Information
Complete the form to initiate a dialogue about collaborative opportunities, tailored workshops, or media inquiries.