While the internet has been around for decades now and is integrated into just about every aspect of our daily living, many elderly individuals still struggle with how to navigate it and how to be safe while on the internet. There are plenty of people out there just waiting for unsuspecting victims to step into their traps. Sometimes they just like to “trick” people to be funny or stir up negative emotions around current events, sometimes they are worse and devise ways to steal your loved one’s identity or money. Either way, if your loved one is going to use the internet for anything from socially connecting to managing bill payments to searching for knowledge, they need to know how to safely navigate the web. They could ask their home care providers if they are feeling unsure of the truth of what they are reading.
Four Cons That Often Trick Seniors on the Internet
The “Your Good Name May Be in Trouble Scam.” This comes in many ways, but it may tell your senior that his account has been hacked, his credit score has dropped, or there is a warrant out for his arrest. These always rely on that automatic desire to immediately fix a scary problem before it gets worse and may have your senior acting before thinking. Remind your senior if he is pressured to act urgently, to go to a person he trusts like his home care provider, and ask if it’s a concern he needs to address.
The “Romance or Friendship” Scam. Many of these scams often start on the phone. Your loved one gets a text that says “Hey, is this Joe? I’ve missed you.” Then when he kindly replies that he’s not Joe, the texter starts a friendly conversation with him. A lonely senior may find himself then engaged in a longer conversation and feel like he’s developing a relationship with the stranger on the other end of the line. Next thing your loved one knows that stranger has some money problems and needs help.
The AI Scam. While seniors are quick at learning what to avoid, the internet is quicker at developing new techniques for scamming others. AI (Artificial Intelligence) and CGI (Computer Generated Images) are two newer technologies that make it difficult for even the savviest person to know what’s real and what isn’t. They can create news stories that never happen and images that aren’t real. They can even imitate voices to make it sound like people have said things they didn’t.
The “You’ve won a prize” Scam. What could be more exciting than learning you’ve won a sweepstakes? But then the company tells you that you need to cover taxes or shipping and asks for that money upfront. Remind your senior if he didn’t enter a sweepstakes, he cannot win it!
Quick Tips for Your Loved One When He’s Unsure About Something on the Internet
Ask someone he knows. Whether it’s a family member, a home care provider, or a trusted neighbor, ask what they think before he acts.
Double check info. Have your home care provider help your loved one find reliable news sources on the internet and then bookmark those pages for reference.
Remember the adage, “It sounds too good to be true.” It probably is.
Never give out any account info or personal info.
The web can be a wonderful place. Learning the dangers can help your elderly loved one enjoy the good while avoiding the bad.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in La Jolla CA, please call the caring staff at Canaan Home Care today! 1-844-CANAAN-1 (1-844-226-2261)
Canaan Home Care – A Premier Provider of Senior Home Care in the La Jolla, Del Mar, San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Tustin, and Manhattan Beach areas.
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