Published: November 23, 2024 on our newsletter Security Fraud News & Alerts Newsletter.
Whether family, friend or neighbor, many of us know a senior citizen. But one thing many of us don’t know is how vulnerable they are to cybercrime. The FBI reports those aged 60+ are potential victims of a nearly $3.5 billion criminal scheme to defraud this at-risk group, and it’s only getting worse.
Why Seniors Get Targeted
Last year in the U.S., nearly two-thirds of scam victims were seniors. Tech support, romance, cryptocurrency, and government impersonation are just a few vulnerabilities of the 60+ crowd. The reasons behind the attacks are simple: Many seniors have a financial nest egg, and they tend to trust others more.
Senior scams are up over 11% since last year, and the FBI notes scammers are adjusting their tactics. One slice of the 60+ pie grew up without technology, and Baby Boomers have technology in their lives. As a result, scammers are using the telephone and mailings for the first group, and email phishing and texting for the other.
Senior Safety
Don’t be pressured or scared into acting. Legitimate organizations never use pressure tactics.
Should a family member or friend contact you asking for money or other help, pick up the phone and use their legitimate number to contact them directly.
If you don’t recognize a phone number, text or email sender, don’t respond.
Never follow links or open attachments in texts and emails, especially from unknown senders. Malicious links go to scammer-controlled websites and attachments are full of malware.
Always report a scam to law enforcement. These crimes happen often and to everyone, so no need to feel embarrassed.
Exercising these safety tips along with a good dose of common sense helps prevent scams targeting seniors. Use them yourself and share them with a senior in your lives.
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