Protecting our Elderly

When it comes to cyber scams and attacks, by far the most vulnerable are the elderly. We can all help them to be more aware of what to look out for when they do venture online. Here are the most common scams targeting the elderly.

1. Phishing scams: These are attempts to trick individuals into providing sensitive information, such as login credentials or financial information, through fake emails or websites.
2. Tech support scams: These scams involve someone posing as a technical support representative and asking for remote access to a victim’s computer or personal information.
3. Grandparent scams: In this scam, a fraudster poses as a grandchild in need of money and asks the grandparent to wire money or provide credit card information.
4. Lottery scams: These scams involve someone informing the victim that they have won a lottery or sweepstakes and asking them to provide personal information or pay a fee in order to claim the prize.
5. Investment scams: These scams involve someone convincing the victim to invest money in a fake business or investment opportunity.

It’s important for the elderly to be aware of these scams, not to respond to unsolicited phone calls, emails, or text messages, and to be wary of unsolicited offers of money or financial assistance. Additionally, it is important to keep software and security features up to date on devices and to use a reputable anti-virus software.

If you have elderly parents, patients, or friends, be sure they know what these are and how to avoid falling prey to them.