Tips to Keep the Elderly Safe Online from Scams.

The internet offers countless benefits, but it also exposes users to scams and fraud. Last year alone it was estimated that Australian’s lost over $2.74 Billion.

We saw a 13.3% increase alone of that with individuals aged 65 and over.

Here are some simple steps you can take to help keep you safe from being scammed. Below are practical tips to help safeguard elderly individuals online:

Common Scams.

 Phishing Emails:

 Fraudulent messages pretending to be from reputable companies to steal personal information. These Emails and calls can be very convincing, with Email addresses and phone numbers resembling the company they are representing and very compelling stories to get you to hand over information. If in doubt, you should call the company in question with their legitimate phone number from their website.

Tech Support Scams:

Calls or pop-ups claiming their computer has a virus and requesting payment to fix it.

Online Shopping Scams:

Fake websites offering products at too-good-to-be-true prices. –

Romance Scams:

Fraudsters posing as potential partners to exploit their emotions and finances.

 

Be Wary of Unsolicited Contact

Hang up on cold calls: Scammers may claim to be from tech companies like Microsoft or Apple. Legitimate companies don’t make unsolicited tech support calls.

Ignore unexpected pop-ups: Do not call the numbers listed on pop-ups warning of viruses or other computer issues.

Verify the Source

If someone claims to represent a tech company, contact the company directly using their official website or customer support channels, not the number provided by the caller or pop-up.

Protect Your Personal Information

Never share passwords or sensitive data over the phone or online unless you are 100% sure of the source.

Avoid giving remote access to your computer to anyone unless you’re certain of their legitimacy.

Recognise Common Scam Tactics

Urgency and fear tactics: Scammers often claim your computer has been hacked or infected.

Payment requests: Be cautious if asked to pay for services via unusual methods, such as gift cards or cryptocurrency.

Install Security Software

Use reliable antivirus and anti-malware software.

Keep your operating system and software up to date to protect against vulnerabilities.

Check for Professional Credentials

Reputable tech support services will have clear contact information, professional websites, transparent policies and their email addresses will not end with things like “gmail” or “yahoo”

Monitor Your Accounts

Regularly check bank and credit card statements for unauthorized charges.

Consider placing fraud alerts on your credit file if you’ve interacted with a scammer.

Educate Yourself and Others

• Stay informed about common scams.
• Share this information with friends, family, or community members who might be targeted.

Trust Your Instincts

If something feels off, it’s better to end the interaction and verify details independently.