Almost $1 Billion was lost to elderly scams in 2020. There are quite a lot of avenues where scammers can get to your aging parents. Fortunately, there are different ways you can protect your loved one from online scams in Pleasant Prairie, WI. Continue reading and learn more.
Explain to Your Seniors About Different Online Scams
Your aging parent or relative can face various forms of online scams. Showing and explaining these scams will help them identify and avoid them. Some of the common digital scams that your loved one might face in Kenosha, WI, include:
- Confidence fraud and romance scams: With these scams, scammers aim at gaining the senior's trust and manipulating them into thinking they're developing a romantic relationship.
- Identity Theft: There are three types of identity theft; pharming, phishing, and smishing. First, with pharming, seniors are encouraged to visit fake websites and are lured to give up their personal information. Second, with phishing, scammers used emails designed to trick seniors into revealing their sensitive information. Lastly, with smishing, scammers use SMS to scam seniors into giving their personal information. These messages are reportedly from insusceptible phone numbers.
- Non-payment or non-delivery products: With the high dependency on online shopping, scammers target seniors with false advertisements or using fake e-commerce websites. Many have ordered products from social media links and received nothing or unrelated things.
- Tech support fraud: With this kind of fraud, scammers often request remote access to a senior's computer by posing as technical support staff. Meanwhile, they will be digging around for sensitive information such as their passwords and account numbers.
Explain What Information Security Is
Your aging parents or relatives may not understand some terms referring to online security. Therefore, the best way is to use examples and help them understand why it's crucial to be safe. Start by explaining what their digital assets are.
Moreover, this includes their bank account details, social media passwords, credit card information, etc. You should certainly make them understand that they should be extra careful about their information since they can't ensure their digital belongings like physical ones.
Show Them How Their Computer Can Get Compromised
It's crucial to show your aging parent an actual picture of how their computer can be compromised. Some of the convincing examples you can use are as follows:
- Showing them how clicking on malicious advertisements can infect their laptops with viruses.
- Show them how their devices can be compromised.
- Advise them against downloading anything that seems suspicious.
- Warn them not to install new software on their computer without consulting you.
Teach Them How to Use Social Media
Our aging parents are increasingly using social media to keep in touch with their friends and family. Even though this is a great way to keep them connected with their friends, they should be taught how to safely use various social media platforms. Some of the safety principles you can teach them are as follows:
- Utilizing proper security that different social media companies have set up.
- Avoid posting their numbers and addresses.
- Make sure that they know about the person who's sent a friend request before accepting it.
Keep Your Aging Parent Safe With Senior Helpers Racine
It would be best if you taught your aging parents how to keep them safe from online scams. However, it's much better to keep your parents safe with the help of a caregiver. At Senior Helpers Racine, we certainly strive to give our clients the best companion care services. Contact us today and learn how we can help you.