It might have been a sense of relief for you when your senior loved one finally started using some of the modern conveniences of the internet. From shopping to entertainment to connecting with others, the online world can be a wonderful place for seniors to find what they need easily.
But as you know, it can also be a place where many online predators wait to take advantage of your senior. Preying on their lack of knowledge as well as their trust in the world, they can ask a few simple questions, offer a link or ask a “small” favor, and the next thing your senior knows, her system has been hacked or she’s given away money to a fraudulent scam.
Here are the most common types of online fraud your senior may come across. If she does, have her alert her senior care provider or a family member before she takes any steps to reply or follow through with a request. Having a second pair of eyes from a senior care provider or yourself just may stop her before the damage is done.
Computer Virus Scams
Your loved one is on the computer and a message or email appears saying her computer has been hacked and she needs to make a payment to get it fixed. This can cause immediate fear and your loved one may think she needs to act quickly to prevent the damage but this is usually a scam to get payments from her.
Romance or Friendship Scams
Some scammers like to take advantage of lonely people so they start up a friendship (or sometimes even a romance) online through accounts like Facebook, Instagram, or others. They seem friendly enough at first. But eventually, they find themselves in a bit of a conundrum and it’s often a heartbreaking experience – their home has burned down, they’ve lost their job, they need immediate surgery – and they’ll ask your loved one to send them some money or gift cards to help them through their financial crisis.
While it might seem a bit invasive, ask your loved one to always share with you or her senior care provider if she plans on giving any money to anyone online, even if she’s been online “friends” with them for years. A second opinion may protect her from sending cash to a scam artist.
Government Scams
Your loved one might get an email saying she owes back taxes or fines and needs to pay them right away or risk being put in jail.
Sweepstake Scams
These scams get your loved one excited because they claim she’s won an amazing prize. Unfortunately, the catch is that she must send some money first to redeem it. Remind your loved one if she didn’t enter a gift drawing, then it can’t be a legitimate prize and any legitimate contests don’t ask you to cover shipping or fees.
The adage that if it sounds too good to be true is the same on the internet as it is in life. Help your loved one know the risks involved with being online so that she can enjoy the benefits.
