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How to Protect Your Elderly From Online Scams

What is phishing scam and how to protect our elderly from online scams

When it comes to online scams, the elderly are the most vulnerable. They are less likely to be aware of what they’re getting into and more likely to give out their personal information.

This is why it’s important to teach them about the risks and have them set up security measures on their devices.

How do seniors get scammed?

Phishing scams are the most common scam that targets elderly people. With phishing the attacker sends a link in an email or text message that looks like it’s from a trusted company and asks for personal information.

Instead, they should go directly to the site themselves and type in the address manually. This way, there will be no chance of them being tricked into giving away sensitive information like bank account numbers or credit card info.

How to recognize a phishing scam?

Scammers frequently adapt their strategies to stay up with the current news or trends, but here are some popular phishing email or text message tactics:

  • Scammers say there is an issue with your account or payment details because they have spotted some suspicious behavior or log-in attempts;
  • Scammers state you need to validate some personal or financial information, such as an invoice you don’t recognize, and want you to click on a link to make a payment;
  • Scammers provide a coupon for free items.

While genuine businesses might communicate with you by email, they will not send you an email or text with a link to update your payment information.

How to protect your parents from scams?

Scammers can target people of any age range. However, victims over the age of 60 are frequently more vulnerable, while victims over the age of 80 report even greater financial losses.

Every year, more than $3 billion is stolen from the elderly. Every year, almost 3.5 million older persons are victims of financial exploitation. Seniors who are victims of fraud lose an average of $34,200.

Here’s what you can do to protect your loved ones from online scams: 

  • Protect their devices by using security software;
  • Set software to update automatically;
  • Protect their accounts by using multi-factor authentication;
  • Protect their data by backing it up to an external hard drive or in the cloud.

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