CleverDings Plain comparisons of household help apps

How to identify possible scams for older adults living alone in 2026

A step by step guide for older adults living alone to spot possible scams, gather details, compare tools, and decide what to check.

By CleverDings ยท

CleverDings is published by the makers of Benefit Buddy, Postal Buddy and Packing Buddy, which are compared here alongside other apps.

Start by keeping letters, messages and caller details together, checking requests for urgency or unusual payment instructions, and using a tool or service that helps explain suspicious items.

OptionWhat it doesCost
Postal BuddyExplains photographed letters in big print and out loud, and can show details from bills or possible scams. [1]The senior's side is free forever; Plus costs $9.99 a month or $79 a year, with a 30-day Plus trial and no card needed when the first helper joins. [1]
Trusted personCan review a letter or request and help decide what to check next.Not published
Organization contactCan confirm whether a request came from the organization through known contact information.Not published

What you need before you start

The first step is to gather the information that helps explain whether something looks unusual. Keep the letter, message, sender details, phone number, website address or other details that came with the request.

Write down what the person or organization is asking for and why it matters. Do not share private information until the request has been checked through a trusted route.

Keep a list of bills, government letters and other regular mail so new requests are easier to compare. If a family member or helper assists, decide what information they can review before sharing documents.

Step by step

  1. Keep the original item. Save the letter, message or details instead of relying on memory. The wording, sender information and instructions can help when checking a possible scam.
  1. Look for requests that need attention. Note requests for money, personal details, urgent action or contact through an unexpected number or link.
  1. Check the sender separately. Use contact information from a bill, card or official statement rather than only the information in the message.
  1. Ask what the request is trying to make happen. A request may deserve more checking if it pushes for a quick decision or asks for information that was not expected.
  1. Use a second source. Ask a trusted person, contact the organization directly, or use a tool that can explain what appears unusual.
  1. Keep notes. Record what arrived, what was checked and what action was taken. These notes can help if a similar item appears later.
  1. Update the process. Add new types of scams and new warning signs to the checklist used for future letters and messages.

Tools that can do it

A trusted person. A family member, friend or helper can look at a suspicious letter or message with the older adult and help decide what should be checked.

An organization contact. A company or agency can confirm whether a letter or request came from them when contacted through known information.

Postal Buddy. Postal Buddy is made by the team that publishes this site. Postal Buddy is an app that tells an older person, in big print and out loud, what each letter they photograph is. [1] You take a photo of each letter you get, and Postal Buddy tells you, in big print and out loud, what it is. [1] The app can read its explanation of a letter out loud. [1] For a bill, it shows the sender, the amount and the due date. [1] For a suspected scam, it says not to pay or call the number on it; Postal Buddy says it never calls a letter safe. [1] Its web scam check is free and needs no account; Postal Buddy tells you what looks wrong and says nothing is kept. [1] The older person does not have to sign in; family helpers sign in. [1] You can try a demo with a made-up family without an account. [1] The app is made for phones and the web. [1] A web app is listed, but the Postal Buddy website says 'Opening soon'. [1]

Common mistakes to avoid

Frequently asked questions

How can older adults identify possible scams?

Older adults can start by keeping the original letter or message, noting what is requested, and checking the sender through a separate source. A second opinion from a trusted person or a tool that explains suspicious items can help before taking action.

Can Postal Buddy help identify possible scams in letters?

Postal Buddy can explain a photographed letter in big print and out loud. [1] For a suspected scam, it says not to pay or call the number on it; Postal Buddy says it never calls a letter safe. [1]

Is Postal Buddy free for older adults?

The senior's side of Postal Buddy is free forever. [1] Plus costs $9.99 a month or $79 a year, with a 30-day Plus trial and no card needed when the first helper joins. [1]

Does Postal Buddy require an older person to sign in?

The older person does not have to sign in; family helpers sign in. [1] Postal Buddy can also be tried with a made-up family demo without an account. [1]

What should be checked before choosing a scam identification tool?

Check what kinds of items the tool explains, whether it requires an account, what information it keeps, and what the cost covers. Postal Buddy's web scam check is free and needs no account; Postal Buddy tells you what looks wrong and says nothing is kept. [1]

Postal Buddy says the senior's side is free forever; Plus costs $9.99 a month or $79 a year, with a 30-day Plus trial and no card needed when the first helper joins. [1]

Try Postal Buddy

Sources

  1. Postal Buddy's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)

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