A leading cyber security expert has warned that elderly people are being targeted by relentless scammers.
In recent months, many older people across Ireland have fallen victim to the so-called 'grandparent scam' where fraudsters pose as the person's family member asking to pay an urgent medical bill or fine. Cybersecurity expert Brandon King from Home Security Heroes has compiled a list of tips to spot and prevent fraud.
He explained: "Fraudsters target seniors in elder fraud by tricking them into giving sensitive information or offering fake financial benefits.
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"Perpetrators could be strangers or known to the elderly, like family, friends or colleagues, and victims can lose their savings and suffer devastating consequences," added Mr King.
Mr King explained that older adults nearing retirement or in retirement are a "prime target" for fraudsters, because they have a steady income, excellent credit history and more savings than younger people. The most common scams doing the rounds are;
Grandparent scams: Scammers often pose as the victim’s grandchild to dupe seniors into sending money urgently for emergency expenses like overdue rent or car repairs.
Romance scams: Romance scams often target women 50 and above, but men can be victims too. Scammers will usually target seniors who have lost their spouses and are looking for companionship.
False charity scams: Fraudsters may pose as representatives from a real charity or create fictitious charity organizations. They can make calls, text, or send emails. In some cases, they may even visit seniors in person.
Tips to prevent prevent seniors from being scammed
Stay connected to your loved ones to prevent isolation, which makes them more vulnerable to scams.
Warn them never to share sensitive information and explain why.
Help them create strong, unique passwords and avoid reusing them.
Limit online shopping to trusted retailers and check for secure websites.
Never click on suspicious links in emails, social media messages, texts, or take calls from fake caller IDs.
Monitor monthly banking statements for signs of identity theft or unauthorized accounts. Shred statements before disposing of them.
Protect social media accounts by only accepting friend requests from people they know, updating privacy settings, and using multi-factor authentication. Delete messages from strangers and avoid odd payment types.
Encourage your parents to name you as a Trusted Contact Person to speak with their financial advisors if there are concerns.
Warn other family and friends if one of your loved ones has experienced a scam attempt. Discuss how to prevent fraudulent attempts.
What to do if you have been scammed
If you or a loved one has been scammed, it's important not to panic and to stay calm. Document everything that has happened, including phone call logs, text messages, and emails, and report it to your local Garda station as soon as possible.
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