One of the most important tips for elder adults is learning how to avoid all different types of scams we see today.
Most older adults were not weaned on the computer the way younger generations are. That why tips for elder adults that help them avoid scams are so important.
Many though, have ventured into the tech world and have computers and email addresses. Maybe you have a Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram account to stay in touch with the grandkids. If you’re really with it (LOL) you may even have a twitter account. Even so, your computer literacy skills are just not as likely to be as second nature as a native language. For those born in the Information Age computer languages are first languages.
Nonetheless, no matter how old you are and no matter the level of your tech skills, you can certainly be scam literate. You’ll feel pretty good when you’re able to spot a computer scam and avoid becoming a victim. You might even be able to teach your friends how to avoid become tech scam victims.
Elder Adults and Scams: Targeting The Unsuspecting
Scammers prey on older adults. Tech support scams are very popular and catch people off-guard. Scammers tend to target those people who are not part of the Information Generation. In other words, they target people over 60.
Beware Tech Support
Tech support scammers use many different tactics to trick people. Providing tips for elder adults to spot these tactics will help you avoid falling for the scam. For instance, tech support scammers may call and pretend to be a computer technician from a well-known company. They’ll say they’ve “found a problem with your computer.” Then they may ask you to give them remote access to your computer at which point they’ll pretend to run a ‘diagnostic’ test. Then they try to make you pay to fix a problem that doesn’t exist.
Pop Up Messages
Another trick tech support scammers use are pop-up windows that appear on your computer screen. It might look like an error message from your operating system or antivirus software, and it might use logos from trusted companies or websites. The message in the window warns of a security issue on your computer and tells you to call a phone number to get help. Don’t do it!
Two Things To Know To Avoid A Tech Support Scam
Here are the most important things to know to avoid a tech support scam: Legitimate tech companies won’t contact you by phone, email or text message to tell you there’s a problem with your computer. And, security pop-up warnings from real tech companies will never ask you to call a phone number.
Scammers Hit Hard During The Holidays
Holidays are when we are most open and joyful. We tend to let our guard down a little more than usual. Scammers know this and they do their best to take advantage when people are at their most vulnerable. Knowing this and what to be on the lookout for, you can avoid becoming the latest victim of a tech scam.
The more scam literate you become, the more confident you’ll be. You might never catch up to anyone born in the computer age, but you’ll be able to navigate through the information age more skillfully and without getting snagged by scammers.