Older adults have seen the world change in incredible ways. From the birth of television to the rise of smartphones, seniors today have experienced more technological innovation than perhaps any previous generation. The current digital age is no different. Reports show that a majority of seniors own smartphones and use the internet daily – to stay in touch with family and friends, manage finances, and enjoy hobbies and entertainment.
While the internet provides amazing opportunities, it also opens users up to new and evolving risks. Online scammers often target older adults, not because they are any less capable or aware, but because today’s digital world changes quickly and can feel unfamiliar. The good news is that some basic awareness and behaviors are highly effective in keeping personally identifiable information (PII) and money safe.
In 2024, the FBI received over 6,000 reports of internet fraud from New York State residents over the age of 60, totaling more than $257 million in losses. New York ranks among the top states in senior-targeted scams. Criminals often assume that seniors have savings or retirement funds, and they aim to take advantage of that wealth.
Whether you’re a New Yorker in your golden years, or the friend or loved one of an older adult, please follow the tips below to stay safe when online. Share this information with everyone you know; we are only as safe as the weakest link in the chain that connects us all in the online world. For a complete list of online scams, check out the ITS scam resource page.
General Online Safety for Seniors
- Pause before you click. If you get an unexpected email, text or pop-up window, stop and think before you respond in any way, especially if the message asks you to click a link or share personal information. Most scams rely on scaring or exciting you into making a quick decision.
- Use strong, secure passwords. A good password should be at least 12 characters and use a mix of letters, numbers and symbols. Pick a phrase only you know and use the first letter of each word or something similar. Never share passwords! A bank or government agency will never ask you for your password.
- Turn on multifactor authentication (MFA). Many accounts now offer an extra security step where you receive a code by text or email. It’s one of the easiest ways to keep your information and funds safe, even if they learn your password.
- Keep your devices updated. Regular software updates fix security problems that scammers try to exploit. If your phone, tablet or computer asks to install an update, click yes.
- Use caution on public Wi-Fi. Avoid doing banking or shopping on public networks, like in coffee shops or airports. Wait until you are on your secure home connection.
- Check website addresses. Before entering personal or payment information, make sure the web address begins with “https://” and includes the correct company name (look for small spelling changes or extra words). To be totally secure, type in the entire website URL, including “https://’” manually into your browser’s address bar.
- Protect your personal information. Your Social Security number, bank account info and Medicare number should never be shared by email, text or social media message.
- Back up your data. Save copies of important files or photos to a secure cloud account or external hard drive. That way, if your computer crashes or is infected by a virus, your memories are safe.
- Sign out and lock your devices. Always log out of websites when you’re done, especially on shared or public computers. Use a passcode, face ID or fingerprint to lock your phone or tablet.
- Talk to someone you trust. If you ever get an email, call or message that feels “off,” ask a friend, family member, or caregiver to take a look before you respond. Two sets of eyes are better than one! Your social circle can also probably help with any of the steps above if you don’t know how to do something.
Common Scams Targeting Seniors
Beneficiary and Investment Scams
Scammers send messages promising “guaranteed” investment returns or claim to have a profitable business deal. They might even speak with you on the phone or direct you to a fake website that seems legitimate. Once you send them money, they disappear and are very hard to track down.
Foreign government scams are some of the oldest tricks on the internet. Scammers claim to be a representative of a foreign government or even the owner/CEO of an unfamiliar business. The bad actor will ask to share in a percentage of a large sum of money by using your bank account as an intermediary holding location. There are many variations of this scam, but they all begin with the victim having to send a sum of money before they are able to collect a much larger amount of money in the future.
Any time you need to give ANY amount of money upfront before receiving a larger sum, you are likely being scammed. Stop the communication immediately and report the person contacting you.
Romance Scams
Online dating can be a great way to meet people, but scammers use fake profiles to gain your affection then scam you out of money. They often claim to be working overseas or in the military and use that scenario to pressure you into giving financial help.
If a connection on a dating app asks you for money, stop communication and report the profile to the app’s support team. Read the romance scam issue of the Cybersecurity Tips newsletter for more in-depth tips on how to protect yourself while dating online.
Tech Support Scams
In a tech support scam, bad actors contact you posing as part of an IT business offering to fix issues with your device. These scams are elaborate and believable. They will use official-looking logos and may even provide a 1-800 number to seem legitimate.
Legitimate technology companies will never contact you out of nowhere about an issue with your device. If you think your device has an actual problem, contact your preferred IT company yourself using an official number.
Social Media Scams
Be wary of links posted on social media, especially quizzes. Criminals can leverage these links and nefarious websites to gather personal information or share malware.
Your friends’ accounts could be hacked without them ever knowing! If you receive an unexpected connection request or message from a friend, check with them in real life before responding.
Emergency/Grandparent Scams
You receive a frantic call from what sounds like a family member or a friend. They will typically say they are having an emergency that requires some amount of money to help them. For example, a common tactic is saying they are in jail and need bail, or their car just broke down and they need money right away to fix it. These scams can also occur on social media, email or any app that has a messaging feature.
Scammers can use artificial intelligence (AI) software to replicate a loved one’s voice, and it may sound very convincing.
If you receive such a call or message, don’t respond. Call your family or friends directly.
Election Scams
During election season, scammers may send emails, texts or social media messages pretending to be from official election offices or political campaigns. They may ask you to confirm your voter registration, donate to a fake cause or click a link to update your voter information.
Election officials will never ask you for your Social Security number, bank details or login information by email or text message. Always go directly to your state or county election website to verify your voter information, if necessary.
Natural Disaster Relief Scams
When a major storm, wildfire or other disaster strikes, scammers seize the opportunity and create fake relief fund websites or social media pages to trick people into donating. They often use photos and names of real charities to appear legitimate.
Before donating online, check that the charity’s web address ends in “.org” and search for them on trusted websites such as Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance or CharityNavigator.org. If you’re unsure, ask a trusted friend or family member to help verify before giving.
Scammers may pose as government officials, utility workers or insurance representatives in the aftermath of a disaster. They could call, email, text, or even go door to door claiming you have to pay for restorative or insurance claim services. Politely decline and contact their agency directly.
Gift Card Scams
Gift card scams can appear in many forms. You may get an email, text or pop-up window saying you owe money to a government agency or utility company, or that you have won a type of lottery or other prize, but you need to “confirm” it by buying gift cards.
No legitimate company, organization or government agency will ever request that you pay with gift cards. If anyone asks you to pay with gift cards or to send them gift card numbers over email, text or phone, stop communicating immediately and inform a trusted friend or family member.
Staying safe online does not mean avoiding technology or being scared to learn new skills; it means using technology with confidence! Take your time when using the internet, think twice before clicking and do not be ashamed or afraid to ask for help. Scammers target every age group, and even the most tech-savvy have fallen for their tricks. Stay up to date on new habits and communicate with other users. Share these tips with friends, neighbors and loved ones because when everyone stays alert, we all stay safer.
Cyber Habit of the Month: Adding a Trusted Person to Financial Accounts
Adding a trusted person to your financial accounts can help protect you from scams or mistakes. Most banks and credit card companies allow you to name a trusted contact who does not have access to your money but can be reached if there’s unusual activity or if the bank cannot contact you. Some also let you add an authorized user or account holder to help you watch for suspicious charges or review statements. Always choose someone you know well and fully trust, such as a close family member or longtime friend. Set the contact directly through your bank, never through a link or an unsolicited phone call. Having a trusted user adds peace of mind and another layer of security to protect your information and finances.
Additional Resources
