The Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging has partnered with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to launch SafeSeniorTN.com, a new website designed to educate older adults on how to avoid scams and protect themselves from bad actors. Officially announced on a Thursday morning, the initiative provides crucial lessons on personal safety, financial risks, and technology hazards.

The program is addressing a massive issue; according to Aaron Bradley, director of the East Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability, scammers steal $500 million annually from Tennesseans over the age of 60, and a staggering $45 billion nationally, often by befriending “good-hearted” seniors and fabricating emergencies to extract money.

To maximize reach, the initiative will utilize Mobile Meals to distribute educational information directly to seniors. Moving forward, Bradley hopes to expand the program by partnering with local faith communities and establishing a dedicated call center where seniors and their families can report suspicious phone calls and emails.