Internet Safety for Seniors

No one wants to believe that they could be fooled by a scammer, but the reality shows that internet scams are becoming more popular — and the elderly are often an appealing target for bad actors. According to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), seniors aged 60 and older lost a cumulative $1.7 billion to scams in 2024 — an increase of roughly 21% from 2023. Seniors, who may be less internet-savvy and experience cognitive or other issues, are seen as particularly vulnerable to internet scams.

If you are a senior or care for an older adult, it pays to recognize the tell-tale signs of a scam. Caring.com created this guide to internet safety for seniors to provide an overview of the tell-tale signs of a scam and how to deal with the situation if you or someone you love has been targeted.

It's easy to be swayed by a message that informs you that you've won a prize. Who doesn't love prizes? Beware — that email or text may be a scam. This common type of scam uses bait in hopes of you revealing your personal information or sending money to receive the prize. 

Scammers will likely say they represent a familiar business, organization, or government agency. They may include professional-quality logos or email signatures that fool you into believing they represent a genuine company. Next, they ask you to give them personal information, such as a bank account or Social Security number, to receive your gift. There may be a link you can click on to download more information. 

How can you tell if a message is part of a sweepstakes scam? The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that if you have to pay money to receive your prize, it's a scam. Second, if you need to pay to increase your chances of winning, you're likely a witness to a scam — payment to boost your chances is illegal. Finally, any message that asks for financial or personal information is up to no good. You should never need to give out bank, credit card, or personal info to claim a prize. 

Here are a few more elements that can tip you off to a sweepstakes scam:

• Scammers may make up a fake name. The message may say it's from the "U.S. Sweepstakes Panel" or something similar. Try a Google search for the name to see if you can find other instances where they used the name. Googling "[name] scam" may turn up evidence of the fraud.
• Scammers pressure you to make a quick decision. They don't want you to take time to consider their message or ask for another person's opinion. The message may include text to "act now" or "don't wait." They may suggest that your prize will go to another if you don't immediately respond.
• Scammers may send you a check and request some money back. The check is likely to be fake, but it will take your bank weeks to determine its veracity. If you've already sent back a portion of it, it may be too late to reclaim the money.
• Scammers may ask you to pay in a specific way. The scammer may instruct you to send money through Western Union, MoneyGram, CashApp, a gift card, or cryptocurrency to claim your prize.

Tech support schemes commonly target older adults who may be less tech-savvy and fearful of computer viruses. In 2024, for example, the FTC brought a legal suit against a company called Restoro Cyprus Limited that bilked tens of millions of dollars from consumers by sending pop-ups to computers warning of security issues that needed immediate attention. Victims were instructed to "scan" their computers, which led to messages that they would require repair. The company then sold useless repair services to unwitting computer owners. 

Not all tech support scams are discovered, and the FTC reports that older adults are far more likely to be targeted by these scams. In fact, according to the FBI, tech support scams were the most widely reported variety of elder fraud in the U.S. in 2023, with nearly 18,000 complaints filed by victims aged 60 or older. Many more likely went unreported.

To protect yourself from tech support scams, start with good antivirus software. These programs aren't very expensive and are worth it to safeguard your technology. It's also important to recognize the danger of random pop-ups, phone calls, or texts that suggest your computer is infected. Unless they come from genuine software already installed, these are never legitimate, and you can safely ignore them.

Here are a few ways to know if you've been targeted by a tech support scam:

• You may see an unsolicited pop-up window on your computer. The notification may purport to be from an established company like Microsoft or Apple. The "ad" will tell you that your computer is infected. 
• They may ask you to call a "tech support" number. The scammer will ask to allow a rep to have remote access to your system or say that you need to pay for repair services. Like other schemes, the scammer will establish a need for urgency, requiring you to act now to avoid further damage to your computer. 
• Scammers may also try to contact you by phone or email. They may push you to purchase a repair plan or give them remote access. If they say they're from a company you know, hang up and call that company's verified number to ensure they are genuine.

No matter your age, the rush of a new relationship is appealing and desirable. For many elders, online dating has opened new doors to finding a companion and experiencing love. Because it's so appealing, however, sweetheart scams have become fertile ground for scammers. The FBI reports that sweetheart scams resulted in over $350 million in losses for people over the age of 60 — accounting for 55% of romance scams across all age groups."  

In this method, a scammer creates a fake profile to entice unwary victims into communicating and building a relationship through Tinder, WhatsApp, Google Hangouts, Facebook, or other apps. The scammer may seem kind and attentive to their target but soon begin asking for money for an urgent need.

Seniors using dating sites should be extra cautious. The old adage holds here — if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Here are signs that you or your loved one might be the victim of a sweetheart scam:

• The scammer will "love bomb" you. This technique involves frequent affectionate talk punctuated by flattery and praise. They may say they love you early in the relationship and emphasize common interests.
• They may ask you to move to another site. This tactic allows them to speak to you privately without oversight. 
• There may be discrepancies between what they say and their profile info. For example, they may claim to be a native English speaker, but you see frequent misspellings or grammar mistakes in their communications. They may also claim to be native to your country but traveling as a military member, oil rig worker, or doctor.
• They won't chat on video. The scammer will likely claim that their camera is broken or they cannot engage in videos or Zoom calls with you for other reasons.
• They will ask for money. This tactic may relate to a family emergency or a request for plane tickets to visit you. They may have a hardship story, such as a lost job, to make their request urgent.

This type of scam features an email or text message from a seemingly reliable source, such as your internet service provider or local bank, that asks you to provide information that identifies you. The FTC reports that these scams cost consumers $330 million in 2022. And In 2023, the FBI fielded nearly 300,000 phishing complaints — about 34% of all internet crime complaints.

For example, you may receive an email supposedly from your bank asking you to verify whether a transaction was authorized. If you reply that it was not, you'll be connected with a "fraud department" that asks for personal information so you can "get your money back." Or you might get a text supposedly from Amazon or UPS asking for personal information to deliver a package or verify a transaction. 

Research from Netskope found that the number of people clicking on phishing links nearly tripled between 2023 and 2024. Here are a few ways to make sure you don't fall for them:

• Be wary of unsolicited messages. If your bank sends an email asking for account information, for example, it's likely to be a phishing scam. Instead, look up the bank's phone number from their website and call to determine if the email is legit. 
• Never give out login credentials or passwords. Unless you are sure the asker is genuine, avoid offering any information in response to requests, especially online correspondence. 
• Take a careful look at URLs. If an email gives you a link to click on, it may be a fake. Even a tiny difference in one letter or number in the URL could take you to a fake site they have carefully crafted to appear genuine.
• Avoid clicking on links: A fake link may send you to a site that infects your computer with malware or requires you to enter further information to proceed.   

As devastating as it may be to discover you've fallen victim to a scam, there are resources that can help mitigate the damage. If you paid the scammer, the FTC has suggestions for how you may be able to recover all or part of your money. Your success depends in part on how you made the payment. Credit card payments, for example, may be reversible if you contact the card's issuer. 

Freezing your credit card – and your credit report – is an important step to prevent further losses. If you paid a scammer with a credit card, the scammer may be able to use that card to make purchases. Freezing your credit report helps guard against identity theft. You may also need to file a fraud report, as many banks and credit disputes require an FTC report.

If you gave the scammer personal information, you must create new, stronger passwords for any logins. Consider reporting the scam to the FTC at identitytheft.gov, where you can create a personal recovery plan to restore your online identity credentials. If you gave the scammer remote access to your computer, update your security software and run a scan. 

Other sites that may be helpful include: 

• BBB Scam Tracker (Better Business Bureau®)
• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Fortunately, you can use several common-sense tactics to avoid online scams. Although scams continue to become increasingly sophisticated, taking the appropriate measures can keep you safe online without jeopardizing your enjoyment of digital activities. Consider implementing the following measures to help keep you safe from scammers:

• Be careful when clicking on links. Think twice before clicking on any links, even if they appear to be from reputable sites. If you are asked to download a link, ensure it is genuinely from a site that you trust and not fake. Remember that a single misplaced digit or period can indicate a fake site.
• Check the web address. If you do click to visit a new website, look at the URL carefully. Check for the padlock that indicates a secure connection between your browser and the site. The URL should include "https" rather than just "http," which indicates an encrypted connection. When in doubt, try to find the real company’s site using a quick Google search. Never enter your information on a site you don’t trust.
• Use strong passwords. Never use your birthday, your child's or pet's name, or other easily discovered information as a password. Use a physical notebook or an online password manager like Dashlane or Bitwarden to keep track of your passwords. Many of these apps are free or available at a low cost and can help ensure your online security. 
• Use different passwords for each site. Although using various passwords can make managing them more complicated, this tactic provides greater internet security. Again, an online password manager can simplify this process at a low or no cost. Using two-factor authentication adds another level of security.
• Never share personal information online. Along with obvious examples, such as not giving out info to unsolicited communications, avoid sharing photos online that include your house number or your car's license plate number. 
• Be wary of "friending" posts on Facebook or other social media sites. These messages may come from someone you know well, but it could be an example of a hijacked social media page controlled by a scammer. Instead, contact the person another way and ask if they sent the friend request. If not, let them know that their page may be compromised.
• Avoid any online communication that makes you feel pressured. Requests for your "urgent attention" or other similar wording should be a red flag. Take a step back and ask for another opinion from a trusted friend or caregiver. 
• Never conduct online business on a public or otherwise unsecured network. If you need to use public Wi-Fi, consider setting up a virtual private network, commonly known as a "VPN," to provide some protection. 

Even those living in nursing homes or memory care facilities are likely to enjoy internet access, making it vital to know how to stay safe online. Although internet scammers are increasingly sophisticated, you can use several common-sense tactics to maintain your online security. Avoiding unsolicited communications, using strong passwords, and never sharing personal information online are just a few ways to ensure your safety and avoid damage to your identity or wallet.

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