Looking for some tips to protect yourself from fraud, scams, and cybercrime? Read on to discover 10 ways for seniors do just that…
The modern world is a much trickier place to navigate than the good old days. Although the online space has created so many new avenues for communication and entertainment, it certainly has its pitfalls. For elderly people who haven’t grown up with technology, it can be tricky to navigate.
Seeking data breach compensation for a breach of your data can be extremely stressful. This is why avoiding cybercrime at all costs is a far better way to live your life.
In this article, we’ll be sharing 10 top tips for seniors to help them avoid cybercrime. Read on if you want to protect your information today…
It’s said that 40 percent of frauds committed occur from someone the victim knows. This may seem hard to believe, but the truth is, it can be much simpler to scam someone you know, especially if they trust you.
The moral of the story is that even if you trust someone, they may betray this trust.
So, be sure to never give out your information to someone, even if it’s someone you love.
This is a rule of thumb for anyone; whether it be a friend, neighbour, or company, don’t share your card details over the phone to anybody. This information could be used to steal your money and even take your identity. Don’t be fooled.
A lot of phone scams – whether it be via call or email – use the scare-factor to cause you to let your guard down and make hasty decisions. They might alert you of suspicious activity on your bank account, or of the fraudulent use of your National Insurance Number. This may encourage you to input your card details, or other personal information, online.
Whatever it may be, it is unlikely that your bank, HMRC, or anyone else, will call you to alert you of these facts. So, if you received a phone call like this, hang up.
If you’re still concerned, find the relevant contact details for whoever supposedly called you via their legitimate website and tell them what happened. More often than not, you will find that nothing is wrong, and it’s all a ruse.
A common pitfall for many people is using weak passwords, or using the same passwords for everything. You should instead be sure to use strong passwords that can’t be easily guessed where you can, and switch them up for different accounts.
You may be wondering how you’ll remember all this. Well, considering it’s not advised that you note down any of your log in details, there is an answer. You could use a password manager on your device to help you to keep track of them all.
Some of the most common scams are those sent via text and phone call. Usually, they will encourage you to click a link which could mean malware can be downloaded onto your device.
Alternatively, the link may take you to a fraudulent website that encourages you to fill in your personal details. Whatever it may be, don’t click any links unless you have previous legitimate correspondence with this person.
If you’re worried that you’re missing something important, try typing the URL into a search engine yourself to see if it’s legitimate. Or, simply reach out to said person through a number you know is real.
A padlock symbol in the top left corner of the URL search bar on your web browser of choice is something you should always look out for. This indicates that the site you’re using is secure.
This is especially the case if you’re using this website to make a purchase. Without this padlock, you can never be sure that you’re not entering in your details into a dodgy site.
The truth is, even websites with this padlock symbol aren’t 100 percent safe. So, be wary with using any new online shops, and be sure to check the reviews before doing so.
Also, be sure that you are using their legitimate website by searching them in Google. Normally, the company you’re looking for when you type it into search engines will come up first, so do this if you’re unsure.
You may receive an email from someone claiming to be a company you know and love. You may even receive correspondence supposedly from someone you know personally.
That said, if the email address doesn’t match said person, it is most likely a scam. Be certain that you’re speaking to who you think you’re speaking to with a simple check of the email address.
Again, if you’re not totally certain, phone the person or company you think you’re dealing with prior to sending any personal information.
It may sound stereotypical, but the truth is that many scams can be spotted by paying attention to the spelling and grammar in a text or email. In a lot of cases, the writing will be pretty shoddy, and often use broken English. If this is the case, you’re very likely dealing with a scammer.
Ultimately, you should live and die by this rule when it comes to anything online. If there’s a pop-up telling you you’ve won a competition, and they just need your details to continue, it’s probably a scam.
That free iPhone might sound exciting, but do you really want to risk it just in case it is something malicious? It’s really better to be safe than sorry.
As you can see, there are a number of steps you should be following to keep your personal information safe. Unfortunately, these are just the tip of the iceberg, and it’s very important to be vigilant whenever you’re using the online space.
For now, these tips should hopefully open your eyes to how you can be more aware of what’s out there. If you are sceptical at every turn, you’re much more likely to be protected. Good luck!
