Scams are on the rise, and experts are warning that older Americans may find it challenging to discern fraud from legitimate interactions. According to a recent report from AARP, nearly nine in 10 adults have encountered some form of fraud, with billions lost to these scams each year.
Cybersecurity experts highlight that older Americans are particularly targeted. A Pew Research study reveals that 32 percent of adults aged 50 to 64 and 29 percent of those 65 and older have fallen victim to at least one scam.
One expert advised on a simple strategy to avoid scams. “Just let it go to voicemail or just don’t answer it…. If it’s something that important, they will try to get in touch with you through email because usually institutions have multiple contacts for you,” said.
It is crucial to avoid clicking links in text messages or emails unless the sender can be verified. Experts also recommend using strong, complex passwords for each website. For those wary of saving passwords in a manager like Google Chrome, there is another option.
“Don’t actually write down the password itself, but write down something about the password. So you can, only you know what that password is,” said.
If you suspect you have been scammed, experts advise contacting your bank or credit card company immediately. Scams can also be reported at reportfraud.ftc.gov
