New App Protects Seniors from Phone Scams with Timed Call Drops
A new free app called CallGuard: Family Safety has been developed to combat phone scams targeting the elderly. The app was created by Max Kristal and Andrey Demin, who were motivated by Kristal's mother's near-victimization by fraudsters posing as TV provider representatives. The scammers gained remote access to her phone after she clicked a malicious link, but a friend's timely call alerted her son, who managed to get her to power off her device. While Kristal's mother avoided financial loss, others have been less fortunate.
CallGuard addresses the limitations of existing anti-scam software. Number identification apps can be bypassed by scammers using spoofed or randomly generated numbers, while apps that block all unknown callers isolate users from legitimate contacts like doctors or delivery personnel. CallGuard offers a dual-function approach: it allows all calls but imposes a user-set timer (one to sixty minutes) on calls from numbers not in the contact list. If the call exceeds the set time, the app automatically disconnects it, a move designed to thwart scammers who rely on prolonged manipulation.
Additionally, CallGuard sends an SMS alert to a pre-designated trusted contact when a timed call is initiated. The app is designed for ease of use, with settings protected by a PIN code set by a trusted individual during installation. It does not record calls, upload contacts, or transmit personal data. While currently only available on Google Play for Android devices, the developers plan to expand to iOS once their company, MXAND, meets the two-year operational requirement.
Beyond scam protection, MXAND is developing further software solutions to assist families and the elderly. These include a voice-to-text translator that requires minimal user interaction and a program to help adult children manage essential aspects of their elderly parents' lives, such as medication reminders and activity support, without being intrusive. The company is actively seeking investors for these projects, aiming to enhance digital accessibility and independence for seniors.
