There’s no denying the fact that the Internet is a huge part of daily life for millions of people in today’s society. For younger adults and children, learning to navigate the complexities of the world wide web is easier and is part of daily routines. This familiarity with using the Internet consistently and regularly leads to the belief that younger people are more likely to recognize internet scams or fraud and avoid them. The same may not be said for seniors and the elderly. Since some older adults tend to have limited access to the Internet, they unknowingly become easier targets for scammers when they do start going online more frequently.
Potential situations that could arise include: falling victim to some pesky pop-up ads claiming their computer is infected with a virus and that a “free scan” (from a fraudulent anti-virus program) is needed to get rid of it. There is also potential that the scan may con the Internet user out of a great deal of his or her money, or even infect the computer with an actual virus that exposes all of the computer’s information to scammers and con artists.
Another internet scam that seniors often fall prey to comes in the form of email or phishing scams. In these types of scams, he or she may get an email from a seemingly legitimate company asking them to either update or confirm any personal information. Another such email scam may even appear to be coming from the IRS regarding a tax refund. We find it is vitally important that seniors and the elderly learn about how to protect themselves online, There clearly are advantages in learning how to use the Internet; we strongly recommend finding safe and proper ways to do so.
If you or someone you love needs assistance with Elder Care law issues, call 856-281-3131. Let us help ease your stress and give you a plan.