You are not the problem
If you are an older adult using the internet, you are in good company. Email, video calls, online banking and photos of grandchildren make daily life easier. Criminals do target older people, often because they assume a person may be trusting or may have savings, but being targeted is not a failing on your part. Scammers are skilled, and they have fooled people of every age and background. A few firm habits are enough to protect you well.
This article is general information, not legal or financial advice.
Passwords that protect you
Your passwords are the keys to your email, bank and photos. Some simple guidelines:
- Use a different password for each important account. Reusing one means a single leak can unlock everything.
- Choose length over complexity. A phrase made of several random words, such as three or four unrelated words strung together, is typically stronger and easier to remember than a short mix of symbols. Avoid birthdays, pet names and “password.”
- Protect your email first. Most accounts can reset their password through your email, so a thief who gets in there can reach many others.
- Write them down safely if you must. A notebook kept at home, not carried in a wallet and not stored next to the device, is better than reusing one password. A password manager is another option if you find it manageable.
- Never share a password or a code sent to your phone. A real bank or company does not ask for it.
If a site offers two-step verification, consider turning it on for email and banking. It means that a stolen password alone is not enough.
How scam messages work
Scam messages and calls come in many forms, but the technique is usually the same: create fear, excitement or urgency so that you act before you think. Typical examples include:
- A message saying a parcel could not be delivered and asking you to click a link.
- An email or text that looks like it is from your bank, asking you to confirm details.
- A call from someone claiming to be a government official, saying you owe money or are in trouble.
- A pop-up on your screen that says your computer has a virus and gives a number to call.
- A message from a supposed relative or friend who urgently needs money.
- An offer of a guaranteed investment with high returns.
Warning signs to watch for:
- Pressure and urgency. “Act now” or “your account will be closed today.”
- Secrecy. Being told not to tell your family or your bank.
- Unusual payment methods. Gift cards, wire transfers and cryptocurrency are favorites because they are hard to reverse.
- Requests for codes or remote access to your computer.
- Polished wording. Many scam messages have no spelling mistakes, so do not rely on errors to give them away.
Voice cloning means a caller may sound exactly like someone you know. Agreeing on a family safe word gives you a quick way to check.
The pause-and-check habit
The most useful single habit is to pause. Real banks, agencies and family members will understand if you take time to verify. Try this routine:
- Stop. Do not click, pay, or give out any details.
- Do not use the contact details in the message. Hang up and call a number you already know, such as the one printed on your bank card or statement.
- Ask someone. Talk to a family member, friend, neighbor or your bank branch. Showing someone the message is smart, not weak.
- Wait. If it is real, it will still be real in an hour or tomorrow.
If you are unsure, doing nothing is almost always safe.
When to ask someone before acting
Make it a rule to check with a trusted person before you:
- Send money to someone new, or to someone you have only met online.
- Buy gift cards for any reason other than a gift you chose.
- Give anyone access to your computer or phone.
- Click a link in an unexpected message.
- Sign up for something that needs your bank details.
- Make any decision you are told must be kept secret.
It helps to choose in advance who that person is, and tell them. If you live alone, a neighbor, a local support organization or your bank can be useful alternatives.
If you think you have been caught
Do not feel ashamed; it can happen to anyone, and acting quickly makes a difference.
- Contact your bank or card provider right away if money or account details were involved.
- Change passwords for any account you think may be affected, starting with email.
- Keep messages, numbers and receipts, which can help if you report it.
- Report the incident to your local police or the national fraud-reporting service in your country.
- Tell someone you trust. They can help, and sharing the burden can ease the stress.
If you ever feel threatened or in immediate danger, call your local emergency services.
Staying safe online is not about knowing everything about technology. It is about slowing down, checking, and knowing that you are always allowed to say, “I will call you back.”