While anyone at any age can fall victim to a scam, fraud targeting older adults is on the rise. And that’s a concern for many of us as we all spend more time online.
In fact, 86 per cent of respondents to a 2022 RBC survey say they’re worried fraudsters will increasingly target seniors as they are online more. There has also been a greater number of online scams and phishing attempts against seniors.
Fortunately, there are many simple steps you can take to help you stay safe online.
- Be aware that fraudsters may pose as government or bank staff, family members, law enforcement or other trusted people. Never give out money or sensitive information to a caller, by text or by email. If you’re not sure about something, call a family member, your financial advisor or your bank.
- Never click on a link or download an attachment from an unknown source. Even if it looks to be legitimate, verify the sender before taking any action.
- Keep your information secure by using strong, unique passwords and passphrases; and ensure your anti-virus software and internet browser are always up to date.
- When online, don’t enter login information or credit card details unless you are sure the site is legitimate. Red flags include poor grammar or spelling errors, a URL that doesn’t match the company’s main site or a lack of a security lock symbol in the address bar.
- When shopping online, remember that an offer too good to be true usually is. Trust your instincts, ask questions, do your research and be extra cautious.
- Social media provides fraudsters with a large pool of potential victims. Be mindful of the personal information you post online and take advantage of privacy settings.
- Stay connected to your finances and set up alerts for suspicious activity on your bank account or credit card.
Find more tips at rbc.com/privacysecurity.
