WASHINGTON—With online scams and data security incidents on the rise, more Americans – especially older adults – are taking proactive steps to store and share their most sensitive information using secure methods. A fast-growing solution is the digital vault: a secure, cloud-based platform for storing and sharing everything from wills and health directives to insurance documents and passwords.

AARP’s Fraud Watch Network found that 4 in 10 Americans have lost money to scams or had personal data compromised. The FBI's 2024 Internet Crime Report confirmed the trend, reporting $16.6 billion in total losses, with adults over 60 suffering the highest number of complaints and financial harm.

To help address these growing risks, AARP is making available a new product subscription which members can add-on to their membership. Prisidio, an AARP AgeTech Collaborative™ participant, created a digital vault for AARP members that provides a centralized and secure solution for individuals and families to collect and share their most vital documents and information in a more secure way, something that becomes increasingly important as we age. The AARP Digital Vault – powered by Prisidio – can store financial information, legal agreements, mortgage deeds, medical records, plus pictures and videos to ensure loved ones know where to find them when they need to. 

“A digital vault isn’t just about convenience—it’s about peace of mind and preparedness,” said Sami Hassenyeh, Executive Vice President of Digital Strategy, at AARP. “Today, we offer the digital vault created by Prisidio as a solution that helps members protect what matters most in today’s increasingly digital world.”

AARP’s Digital Vault platform goes beyond simple cloud storage. It uses bank-level encryption, smart categorization, and allows users to designate trusted contacts who can access their vault. Whether it’s for estate planning, caregiving coordination, or natural disaster preparedness and daily peace of mind, digital vaults offer a modern way to manage life’s essential information.

Why Use a Digital Vault?

• Be Prepared: Store vital documents like wills, powers of attorney, insurance records in addition to keepsakes like family photographs and videos.
   
• Stay Organized: Keep everything in one place, categorized with reminders that can be accessed by computer, tablet or smartphone.

• Disaster Preparedness: Quickly access critical documents in the event of a natural disaster, emergency evacuation, or extreme weather—from anywhere.
• Empower Trusted Contacts: Grant access to family members and trusted advisors while designating the level of permission for each.
• Protect Your Legacy: Ensure clarity and continuity for loved ones in nostalgic moments or emergency situations.

As noted in a recent AARP.org article, digital vaults are helping individuals and families manage sensitive information with less risk of loss, fraud, or miscommunication than using standard online data storage or through emails.

This new offering underscores AARP’s broader commitment to delivering tech-forward, real-world solutions that make aging simpler, safer, and more secure. The AARP Digital Vault can now be added to an existing membership or purchased with a new AARP membership to take the first step in building a digital legacy.
 

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About AARP
AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.