Older residents learned practical tips to protect themselves from online scams at a Barclays skills workshop. The session, held on 25 February 2026, was delivered to 12 members of Penfold Community Hub during a coffee morning to help older people spot online dangers and how to respond.

As many as 6 out of 10 people aged over 65 have been the target of fraud or a scam online according to an industry report, which found that on average older people affected lost over £3,000 per scam.

Barclays, who have a local branch on Edgware Road, delivered the 90-minute interactive training covering practical scenarios across a range of increasingly common scams, including phishing emails, vishing (fraudulent phone calls), and smishing (fraudulent text messages), learning how to recognise and respond to each.

The activity also included a quiz to test the knowledge learnt, with the group receiving top marks. After the group activity, Barclays offered 1-2-1 sessions for anyone wanting further advice and guidance.

The activity was well received by participants with one commenting: “These sessions are so valuable. Emails and social media are like learning a new language for my generation.”

The workshop was part of Marble Arch London BID’s Community Programme , which helps local businesses connect with community groups through a range of initiatives, from environmental projects to skill-sharing sessions and coffee mornings, creating lasting impact and memorable experiences.