Baltimore, MD, August 11, 2025 – SECU (“see-Q”), Maryland’s largest state-chartered credit union, has partnered with Carefull, the first financial safety platform built specifically to protect seniors, to launch a proactive new fraud prevention solution for its members. Together, SECU and Carefull will support seniors and their families to better detect, prevent and respond to scams, fraud and financial exploitation.
According to the FBI, in 2023, Americans aged 60 years and older reported more than $3.4 billion in losses due to fraud. This number continues to grow as scams become more sophisticated, often powered by emotional manipulation. Driven by the urgency of today's fraud landscape, SECU is delivering a next-level response for its members through a family-centered layer of defense through Carefull’s platform.
“Fraud targeting seniors is not just growing more common – it’s becoming increasingly sophisticated,” said David Sweiderk, President and CEO at SECU. “At SECU, our commitment to our members means staying ahead of these threats with smart, proactive solutions. Partnering with Carefull allows us to protect our members in a more holistic, family-centered way – while strengthening the trusted relationships we build across generations.”
The initiative aligns with recent guidance from regulators, including the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), encouraging financial institutions to adopt innovative approaches to combat elder financial abuse. With Carefull, SECU members can now designate Trusted Contacts, such as adult children, caregivers or financial advisors, who can receive real-time alerts about unusual account activity and help intervene when needed, all without direct access to funds.
“SECU is leading the way in what modern fraud protection should look like for older members,” said Todd Rovak, Co-Founder of Carefull. “This partnership highlights SECU’s commitment to innovation, financial wellness, and building lasting trust with members and their families.”
Carefull’s AI technology monitors linked accounts for suspicious activity and sends detailed, plain-language alerts with step-by-step guidance on next steps. The platform also provides access to a U.S.-based Care Team trained to assist seniors and caregivers in navigating potential fraud and account concerns.
By adding Carefull to its suite of financial wellness tools, SECU is both enhancing fraud protection for senior members and reinforcing its role as a trusted, forward-thinking partner to Maryland families.
