Senior citizen scams are increasing year over year, with elderly victims reporting losses of more than $3 billion annually. As high as that number is, the total is probably much higher – many seniors are too embarrassed to admit (much less report) that they were fooled. While technology was a mystery to many seniors in the past, smartphones and computers are now familiar to most. What may not be familiar is the deviousness and criminality of online scammers and the lengths they will go to to make illegitimate money.

Here are some tips to help your senior loved one stay safe while browsing the internet.

Show Them How to Check Emails: Consider spending some time checking emails with your senior. You can teach them to spot spam emails and educate them on the types of correspondence cyber criminals utilize. Show them how to set filters so that all messages from unknown senders are sent to a “junk” folder – or deleted.
Beware of Urgent Appeals: The National Council on Aging reports that cyber criminals use words of urgency to trap their victims. They want the reader to feel that they need to make an immediate decision or they will lose out on a great deal – or conversely, that something terrible will happen. Remind them that it could be a scam if they feel pressured to make a decision.
Be Stingy with Clicks: Phishing scams are on the rise and account for most of the scam activity online. These scams try to get the victim to click a link that allows the scammer to access personal information and even hack the victim’s device. Seniors (and everyone) should be advised about the dangers of clicking any link in an email from someone they don’t know.
Keep Your Personal Information Private: Cybercriminals often try to obtain personal information they can use for their own benefit. This information may include account numbers, Medicaid numbers, passwords, and answers to personal security questions. Remind your senior never to give this information to a stranger. If they think it is a legitimate entity (like a bank or creditor) asking for the information, tell them to call the institution directly to determine if they sent the email. Remember that these companies will not send emails (or make phone calls) soliciting personal information. It should always be considered a scam. In fact, it is best to report these correspondences to the company so they can investigate.
Create Stronger Passwords: Strong passwords are a vital protection for anyone using online accounts. Even though most people want to use the same password on every account so they can easily remember it, you should never use the same password for more than one account. A password management service is a great solution; you can help your senior set it up and help them manage and monitor it.
Monitor Account Changes: If you have access to your family member’s bank account, check the balances monthly, especially during the holiday season when people steal information to make large purchases. Check for withdrawals or charges that don’t fit or are from an unknown entity. Watch for suspicious activity and stop any fraud before it gets too far.

Helping your senior loved one to become a more savvy internet user can protect their money and save them from a lot of undue stress. If your family member lives in assisted living, you can provide a secure device and show them how to use it to stay in touch without falling for a scam.

A Banyan Residence is an assisted living and memory care center located in The Villages.