Learn About Cybersecurity Safety for Seniors

How Fraudsters Target Older Adults Through Multiple Channels

Seniors face a unique vulnerability in the digital world, not because of any personal failing, but because scammers have identified patterns in how older adults communicate and make decisions. Research from the FBI shows that adults over 60 report financial losses to fraud at rates higher than younger age groups, with losses sometimes exceeding $1 billion annually across the United States. Understanding the specific tactics used by fraudsters is the first step toward recognizing and avoiding these schemes.

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Phone-based fraud remains one of the most effective tools in a scammer's arsenal. A common variation involves calls claiming to be from your bank, the IRS, or a utility company. The caller creates urgency by stating there is a problem with your account or that you owe money. They may use caller ID spoofing technology to make the call appear to come from a legitimate organization. For example, a scammer might call claiming to be from your bank's fraud department, saying someone tried to use your card, and asking you to "verify" your account number or PIN. Legitimate banks never request passwords, PINs, or full account numbers over the phone. Another phone scam targets people who have made recent purchases or investments—the scammer claims to be following up on a transaction and asks for confirmation of payment details.

Email-based scams cast a wide net because fraudsters can contact thousands of people with minimal cost. These emails often reference recent events or create false emergencies. A senior might receive an email appearing to come from a grandchild claiming they are stuck in another country and need money wired immediately. Another common email scam mimics a financial institution, stating that an account has been locked and asking the recipient to click a link to "verify" information. The email may include the organization's actual logo and professional formatting, making it difficult to distinguish from legitimate communications.

Social media has become a hunting ground for scammers targeting older adults. Fraudsters create fake profiles that pose as romantic interests, long-lost friends, or distant relatives. Over time, they build trust and then reveal a financial emergency—a medical crisis, a business problem, or travel troubles. The relationship feels real because the scammer has invested weeks or months in building it. Other social media scams involve fake investment opportunities, such as cryptocurrency schemes or promises of high returns on small initial investments. These posts often feature testimonials and images of supposed successful investors to create legitimacy.

Romance scams represent a particularly damaging form of fraud targeting lonely seniors. The scammer develops an emotional connection over weeks or months through messages and sometimes video calls (using stolen photos or deepfake technology). Once trust is established, the scammer manufactures a crisis—a business emergency, medical bill, or travel problem—and requests money. Some victims have lost tens of thousands of dollars before realizing they have been deceived.

Practical Takeaway: Create a personal rule that you will never give financial information, passwords, or send money based on unsolicited contact—whether by phone, email, or social media. When you receive an unexpected request, hang up or close the message, and independently contact the organization using a phone number or website you know is legitimate. This single practice stops most scams before they succeed.

Creating and Managing Strong Passwords and Account Security

Password security forms the foundation of protection for all your online accounts. A strong password acts as a barrier between your personal information and someone trying to gain unauthorized access. Many people create passwords that are easy to remember—birthdays, names of family members, or simple number sequences—but these are equally easy for attackers to guess or crack using software tools that test millions of combinations per second.

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A strong password typically contains at least 12 characters and includes a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters (such as ! @ # $ % & *). For example, "BlueSky$Rain2024!" is stronger than "password123" or "John2000." The length of a password matters significantly; even a random combination of 16 characters using only lowercase letters provides more security than a shorter password with mixed character types. Password strength also increases when the password contains no dictionary words and has no logical pattern. Rather than trying to create and remember complex passwords for dozens of accounts, many security experts recommend using a password manager—software that stores encrypted passwords and can generate strong, unique passwords for each account.

Using the same password across multiple accounts creates danger. If one account is compromised, an attacker can use that password to access your email, banking, shopping, and social media accounts. Creating unique passwords for each account means that if one is breached, your other accounts remain protected. For accounts that matter most—email, banking, and healthcare—unique, strong passwords are essential. Your email account deserves particular attention because scammers who gain access to your email can use the "forgot password" feature on other accounts to lock you out and take control.

Two-factor authentication (also called 2FA) adds a second security layer beyond your password. After you enter your password correctly, the system requires a second verification step before granting access. This second factor might be a code sent to your phone via text message, a code generated by an authentication app on your phone, or a notification you must approve on your phone. Even if someone steals your password, they cannot access your account without this second factor. Two-factor authentication is particularly important for your email account, banking accounts, and accounts where you store payment information. Most major email providers, banks, and social media platforms offer two-factor authentication options in their account settings.

Securing your online banking requires specific attention. Never conduct banking on shared computers or public WiFi networks. Public WiFi at coffee shops or libraries offers no encryption, meaning data you transmit can be intercepted. When banking from home, use your home WiFi network with a strong password. Set up account alerts through your bank's website or app so you receive notifications about withdrawals, transfers, or login attempts. Review your account statements regularly—weekly if possible—to catch unauthorized transactions quickly. If your bank offers it, use their mobile app rather than accessing banking through a web browser, as apps often have additional security features.

Practical Takeaway: Start by securing your email account with a unique, strong password and two-factor authentication. Then work through your other accounts in order of importance: banking, healthcare, payment services, and social media. You do not need to change all passwords today, but address the most sensitive accounts first. Consider using a password manager to handle the complexity, and write down the master password to that manager in a secure location (such as a safe deposit box).

Identifying Phishing Emails and Fraudulent Websites

Phishing is a technique where scammers send emails or create websites designed to trick you into revealing personal information or login credentials. The term comes from the idea of "fishing" for information—casting a wide net to see what bites. Phishing emails often appear to come from banks, payment services, government agencies, or companies you do business with. The goal is to create just enough concern or curiosity that you click a link or download an attachment before thinking critically about what you are doing.

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A typical phishing email might state that your account has been compromised, that suspicious activity was detected, or that you need to verify information before your account is locked. The email includes a button or link labeled something like "Verify Your Account," "Confirm Your Identity," or "Update Payment Information." When you click this link, you are taken to a website that looks nearly identical to the real company's website. You enter your username, password, and sometimes additional information like your Social Security number or credit card details. You may even receive a confirmation message thanking you for updating your information, which feels reassuring. In reality, you have just given your information to criminals.

Several visual clues can help you identify phishing emails. Look carefully at the sender's email address—it may appear similar to a legitimate address but with slight variations. For example, an email claiming to be from your bank at "support@your-bank-secure.com" is suspicious if your bank's actual email address is "support@yourbank.com." Phishing emails often contain spelling or grammar errors, though modern scams are increasingly polished. Generic greetings like "Dear Customer" or "Dear Valued Account Holder" are common in phishing emails; legitimate companies usually address you by name. Urgent language demanding immediate action—"Your account will be closed," "Unusual activity detected," "Confirm your information within 24 hours"—is a major red flag.

Links in emails deserve careful scrutiny. Before clicking any link in an email, hover your mouse over it (without clicking) to see the actual destination URL. If you are using a phone or tablet, press and hold the link to see where it goes. A link that appears to