In part one of our internet safety series, we discussed 15 online scams that older adults commonly face. In this next edition we’ll discuss some general rules of thumb to avoid such scams, and we’ll provide practical actions that you can take if you or a loved one encounter suspicious activities online.
Ways for Seniors to Avoid Online Scams: General Rules of Thumb
Whether you are an older adult yourself or just someone looking to protect a loved one, some general tips can help seniors stay safe in the face of many types of online scams.
- Avoid paying anyone through wire transfer, Western Union, money order, or gift cards. Scammers often ask for these types of payments since they do not leave a traceable paper trail.
- Never share your passwords with anyone.
- Be skeptical of anything urgent. Scammers often want you to act before you have time to think critically about the situation. Remember to pause and perhaps walk away from the computer instead of panicking if you think something is suspicious and you’re not sure how to proceed. Call a loved one or search online for advice (e.g., typing “Girlfriend in Accra, Ghana, needs money” plus the word “scam” in Google to see if other people have reported such scams).*
- Ensure that websites have https:// listed in front of them. The “s” indicates that the site is secure. The name should also have a little lock next to it.
- Be wary of anything that seems too good to be true.
- Consider turning on multi-factor authentication. This requires you to either enter a code (sent via text or email) or use an app to log in to some of your accounts, including social media or banking portals. This can prevent hackers from signing in.
- Immediately click the X or No to close any websites or pop-ups about viruses or sweepstakes.
What to Do If You or a Loved One Have Been Scammed
Many older adults are ashamed of admitting that they’ve been duped by an online scammer. In fact, seniors are 94 percent more likely to report online fraud if they haven’t actually lost any money.
They may not want their family and friends to think that they are now longer mentally quick, or that they’re incapable of handling their money well. After all, we all want to be seen as competent and independent individuals. In the case of Berndt, mentioned in part one, his children eventually stopped talking to him due to frustration in seeing their father “throw away his money” as he ignored their warnings about an online romance scam.
It is important to create a safe space so that your loved ones can feel comfortable discussing these issues without fear of being judged. Remind yourself and them that there is nothing to be ashamed of — online scammers are professionals, and they are good at their jobs. This situation could have happened to anyone.
Going forward, more precautions can be taken to avoid this type of scenario. No one needs to be fearful of continuing to use the internet, so long as they are equipped with the knowledge of how to use it safely.
Given that a scam has already taken place, here are some actionable steps that you can take:
- Call your bank. They can freeze your account so that no one can access your funds and also issue you a new debit card. If money has already been stolen, you can see if the bank can void those transactions and return your funds.
- Report the scam to the FTC by visiting ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Consider filing a police report.
- Report the scam to the Better Business Bureau (if applicable, such as in the case of online shopping), and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
- Visit identitytheft.gov if you think your identity has been stolen.
- Reach out to Adult Protective Services for additional support.
Why Do Many Internet Scams Target Older Adults?
Many internet scams are specifically targeted for older adults. There are several reasons for this:
- Scammers often falsely believe that all older adults have a lot of money since they may have saved for retirement.
- Scammers know that many older adults receive Social Security or Medicare benefits, so they can easily pretend to be a government official from one of those offices in order to secure personal information.
- Scammers often believe that older adults may be unfamiliar with new technologies and more likely to fall into their traps.
As we strive to bridge the digital divide and empower older adults in the digital era, it is equally important to equip them with knowledge about potential online threats. By understanding and recognizing common scams, seniors can navigate the digital realm safely.
Community education, open communication, and fostering a sense of skepticism can play a pivotal role in protecting older adults from falling victim to online scams. Together, we can create a digital environment that is both empowering and secure for individuals of all ages.
*This is an example of a romance scam mentioned in part one.
Comments are closed.