For clubs and groups
Bring Silver Watchdogs to your group! Here’s a ready-made, upbeat session that helps everyone spot scams and use the latest AI with confidence. You don’t need to be an expert. If you can press play and read aloud, you’ve got this.
Who it’s for
- Computer and tech clubs that want a hands-on AI topic
- 55+ community groups and activity committees
- Libraries and lifelong-learning programs
- Churches and faith groups
- Social clubs, book clubs, card groups and neighborhood groups
The session: 30 to 45 minutes
Six short parts. Keep it friendly and let people share their own stories. Everyone has a scam story!
1Welcome (3 min)
Say hello and set the tone: “Today we’re going to get one step ahead of the scammers, and have some fun doing it.” Mention that Silver Watchdogs is a free volunteer website, and that nobody will be asked for any private information today.
2The 4 big warning signs (7 min)
- They contact you first, by phone, text, email, or a knock on the door.
- They rush you. “Act now or you’ll lose your benefits.”
- They want an unusual payment: gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or a cash courier.
- They ask for private details: your Social Security, Medicare, or bank numbers.
Ask: “Has anyone had a call or text like this?” More on our Protect yourself page.
3Live demo: spotting a scam text with Grok Bot (10 to 15 min)
Show this on the big screen, one step at a time:
- Show the made-up text: “Your Medicare card is expiring. Call 1-800-555-0100 now to avoid losing benefits.”
- Spot the signs together first. Ask the room: what feels off? (It rushes you. It threatens you. It gives you its own number to call.)
- Open the Grok Bot app on the presenter’s phone or iPad and type or say: “I got this text. Is it a scam? What should I do? Here it is:” then paste the made-up text.
- Read the answer aloud. Point out how it names the warning signs and suggests what to do next.
- Finish with the safe moves: don’t reply, call, or click; check with the real agency using a number you already have; forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM).
The full example is on our Getting Grok Bot page. Use only made-up messages in a group, never anyone’s real texts or details. Like any AI, Grok Bot can make mistakes, so check important answers with the official source.
4How to report (5 min)
Show our Report fraud page. The big ones: ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). Reporting is free, and it helps stop scams for everyone.
5Questions and answers (5 to 10 min)
Open the floor. If a question stumps you, that’s fine! Send it to us through our Ask a question box, or try our Common questions page together.
6Hand out the flyer (2 min)
Give everyone our one-page flyer. It has a QR code that opens this website, so people can explore at home.
What to bring
- A projector or a big TV to show the website and the demo. A laptop, iPad, or phone that can connect to it works great.
- Copies of the flyer. Print the flyer (PDF), one per person.
- Members’ own phones and iPads, so people can follow along on the website. Anyone who already has the Grok Bot app can try the demo question too. Nobody needs to sign up for anything during the session.
- The facilitator sheet below, printed for whoever is leading.
Facilitator sheet: Spot a scam with AI (30 to 45 minutes)
- Welcome (3 min). “Today we get one step ahead of the scammers.” No private information will be asked for.
- The 4 big warning signs (7 min). They contact you first. They rush you. They want an unusual payment (gift cards, wire, crypto, cash courier). They ask for private details.
- Live demo (10 to 15 min). Show the made-up text: “Your Medicare card is expiring. Call 1-800-555-0100 now to avoid losing benefits.” Spot the signs as a group. Then ask Grok Bot: “I got this text. Is it a scam? What should I do?” Read the answer aloud. Safe moves: don’t reply, call, or click. Check with the real agency. Forward scam texts to 7726.
- How to report (5 min). ReportFraud.ftc.gov. National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311).
- Questions (5 to 10 min). Stumped? Send it to us: silverwatchdogs.com/ask
- Hand out the flyer (2 min). silverwatchdogs.com/flyer.pdf
Bring: projector or big TV · printed flyers · a phone or iPad for the demo · this sheet.
Golden rule for the room: use made-up examples only. Never share anyone’s real messages, numbers, or private details.
Silver Watchdogs · silverwatchdogs.com · A free volunteer website. Not a government agency. Educational information only.
Questions? We’d love to hear from you
Planning a session, or have an idea to make it better? Send a note through our Ask a question box, or email [email protected]. Please don’t include private details.