November 6th through 12th marks National Senior Safety Week. In support of National Senior Safety Week, the Canada Safety Council has compiled information on technology scams that frequently target seniors. The Canada Safety Council is an independent, knowledge-based, charitable organization dedicated to the cause of safety. They provide national leadership in safety through information, education and collaboration and are Canada’s voice and resource for safety.
Halton Crime Stoppers wishes to share some of this technology scam information and reminds everyone to remain vigilant and on the lookout for fraudulent activity.
Identity theft. In addition to using strong passwords (or even better, passphrases) the best way to avoid becoming a victim is to be very selective about the information you share. Before providing any information online or over the phone, consider the rationale for the request and check the organization’s privacy policy for insight into why they need your data, what they plan to do with it and who will have access to it.
Online dating. Be wary of catfishing, a process by which scammers pretend to be someone they’re not in order to gain another person’s trust. Anyone can create a dating profile and photos and even webcam footage can be falsified. Exercise caution when talking with someone online and be wary of those who work to gain your trust quickly, only to ask for financial help. Never transfer money to individuals you meet online regardless of the situation they claim to be in – once you’ve sent money it is almost impossible to get it back. If you connect well with someone and choose to meet in person, do so in a public place to confirm they are who they say they are, before the relationship progresses further. Be wary of chatting with individuals who claim to be from another country – it is much harder to confirm their identity. If they avoid meetings or come up with excuses, it could be a red flag.
Phishing. Phishing is the fraudulent practice of sending illegitimate emails that appear to be from reputable organizations, when in fact they are not. The intent is to trick recipients into providing private information. Telltale signs of emails of this nature include typos, grammatical errors, threats and ultimatums. Be suspicious of messages claiming to be urgent in nature with deadlines for action. Some messages demand an immediate response, relying on the would-be victim to call first and ask questions later. Always take the time to do your research and remember, banks, phone companies and government agencies will never ask you to share private information over email, text or via an unsolicited phone call. Always double-check the sender’s email address, even if the name is recognizable. Often, phishing-related email addresses contain a long string of letters or digits, or contain names that are slightly misspelled or otherwise altered. If there are any links within the message, do not click on them until you are certain the email is legitimate – and even then, confirm that the link is legitimate by hovering your mouse over it to see the actual destination.
Tech support pop-ups. This type of scam involves a pop-up window claiming you have a virus on your device. These windows offer a phone number to call for technical support, but the “solution” often involves payment for a fix or allowing the scammers remote access to your device. Avoid this problem by ensuring you have anti-virus software installed on your device, and only browsing and downloading from trusted websites. If you see such a notice and cannot close it, don’t call the number displayed; instead, take your computer to a trusted technician who can help remove any malware or viruses.
Lottery winnings and sweepstakes. If you receive a message (or phone call) about winning the lottery or a sweepstakes prize, it is likely a scam – especially when you haven’t entered any contests. Delete messages like this right away and do not click on any links. If you did enter a lottery or sweepstakes, pay careful attention to the source of the message and consider the following questions to confirm validity: Did the message come from the same organization that offered the contest? Is there mention of the specific contest you entered? Does the message address you by name? If you answer ‘no’ to any of these questions it’s likely a scam.
Although National Senior Safety Week ends November 12, the pursuit of online safety is a year-round job. Staying informed and knowledgeable about possible threats can help you use the Internet and all it affords us with greater confidence. Visit the Canada Safety Council’s website for more safety information and a showcase of safety through the century as the organization celebrates 100 years in safety.
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