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Empowering seniors to embrace technology. We offer online support and user-friendly content designed to make seniors digital life easier.
How can we enjoy the digital world while keeping our personal information safe?
Fortunately, with a little knowledge and a few simple steps, you can protect yourself against financial fraud, making sure your online experiences are both enjoyable and secure.
As we grow older, technology offers us new ways to stay close to family, manage our finances, and even explore new hobbies.
But with these benefits come new challenges, especially when it comes to financial fraud.
Understanding the Risks
We’ve all been there—those moments where technology feels overwhelming or confusing, and it’s easy to feel uncertain.
Imagine this: you get a call from someone who sounds exactly like your grandchild, urgently asking for help.
It’s a tactic used by fraudsters and unfortunately, it can happen to anyone.
Feeling uncertain at times is completely normal, but by learning about these risks, you can gain confidence and feel empowered to protect yourself.
Common Types of Financial Fraud
Let’s take a closer look at some common types of financial fraud so you know what to watch out for:
- Identity Theft: This occurs when someone steals your personal information to impersonate you, potentially ruining your financial reputation.
- Ransomware: Malicious software can lock you out of your own data, demanding a ransom for access.
- Online Shopping Scams: Fake websites can lure you into making purchases for products that don’t exist.
- Grandparent scams: Scammers may pose as a grandchild in need of urgent financial assistance.
- Investment scams: Scammers may offer you investment opportunities that sound too good to be true.
- Romance scams: Online relationships that quickly escalate to requests for money or personal information.
- Lottery or prize scams: Notifications about winning a prize or lottery that require payment or personal information to claim the winnings.
- Phishing Scams: Fraudsters often send emails that look legitimate, tricking you into revealing personal information like passwords or credit card numbers.
Simple Steps to Protect Yourself
Thankfully, you don’t need to be a tech expert to protect yourself online.
A few small changes can make a big difference. Here are some friendly tips to keep you safe:
- Take a Moment Before You Share: Be careful about giving out personal information. Your Social Security number is as valuable as the keys to your home—only share it with trusted individuals.
- Verify the source: If you receive a call or email claiming to be from a bank or other institution, verify the information by contacting the company directly using a phone number or website you know is legitimate.
- Don’t Rush: Scammers often try to pressure you. Take your time and think carefully.
- Keep an Eye on Your Finances: Regularly check your bank and credit card statements. If something looks off, investigate it!
- Stay informed: Learn about the latest scams by reading articles and watching videos. Look for resources that are easy to understand.
- Use Strong Passwords: Create strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts. Avoid using the same password across multiple sites to minimize risk.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Whenever possible, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts. Think of it as a security double-check, making sure it’s really you logging in.
If you have any questions or require further assistance.
We are here to support you in navigating through each step of your digital journey.
By staying vigilant & informed, you can protect yourself & your information.