Cyber Security and Seniors: 5 Tips to Protect Your Senior Loved Ones

Cybersecurity 10 Tips for Staying Safe on the Internet from Viva Health's Data Security Officer Lynn Murphree Many seniors dont use digital tools because they worry about Internet scams and hackers. Knowing what to look out for will help keep you safe. Read these tips from Viva Health's Data Security Officer Lynn Murphree to learn how to spot harmful websites, shop online safely, choose secure passwords, and much more.1.    Dont share sensitive information, like your social security number, Medicare ID number, bank account details, or other personal data in an email. When registering for portals like the Viva Health Member Portal or our partner portals, you will be asked to provide your Medicare ID number to make sure you are the one setting up the account. This is safe and secure.  2.    When browsing sites, do not click on pop-up ads. Pop-up ads are ads that open in a new window. Pop-ups may have viruses that can auto-download to your device or computer.  3.    Only shop from sites you are familiar with, like Amazon.  4.    When making online purchases, make sure the product is shipped from the USA rather than another country.  5.    To make sure a website is secure, check for https instead of just http in the URL.  6.    Never use your debit card (linked to your checking account) for online transactions. Use a credit card instead.  7.    Always use 2-Factor Authentication whenever it is available. This is also known as multi-factor authentication.  8.    If you use Facebook or other social media sites, never accept a friend request from someone you dont know.  9.    When creating passwords, make sure they are at least eight characters long and include a combination of numbers, uppercase and lowercase letters, and symbols.  10.  Never respond to personal emergency emails, posts, or messages on social media. Go to vivahealth.com/medicare/events/videos, type in cybersecurity in the search box to view a video for more information. Contact Viva Health at 800-830-8432 to discover more about Medicare options in Alabama.  

Protecting Seniors from Holiday Scams   The holiday season is here, and with it comes the excitement of Black Friday deals and the rush to find the perfect gifts. However, while the season brings joy, it also attracts scammers looking to take advantage of vulnerable populations, especially seniors. Older adults lose an estimated $3 billion annually to scams, according to the Federal Trade Commission, with a spike seen during the holiday season due to fraudulent online shopping deals, fake charities, and even Medicare-related phishing schemes. Here are some of the newest holiday scams targeting seniors, tips to avoid them, and resources to stay informed.   The Newest Scams Targeting Seniors   1. Fake E-Commerce Websites Scammers are getting better at creating realistic-looking websites that mimic well-known retailers or advertise exclusive limited-time deals. These fake sites lure seniors into entering personal and financial information, which is then stolen.   What to Watch for: URLs that dont match the official retailers name. Unbelievably low prices on high-ticket items. Poor grammar or spelling errors in website text.   How to Stay Safe: Use trusted retailers youve shopped with before. Look for https and a padlock symbol in the URL. Cross-check deals on the retailers official site.   2. Phishing Emails and Texts Fraudulent emails or texts promising massive discounts or alerting about account issues are common. These messages often direct recipients to fake login pages to steal their credentials.   What to Watch for: Emails or texts that create a sense of urgency, such as Act Now! or Your account has been locked. Suspicious sender email addresses or phone numbers.   How to Stay Safe: Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited messages. Contact the retailer or service provider directly to verify the issue.   3. Charity Scams The holidays inspire generosity, and scammers exploit this by pretending to represent charitable organizations. They often pressure seniors to donate immediately, using emotional appeals.   What to Watch for: Pushy callers who wont provide detailed information about the charity. Requests for unusual payment methods, such as gift cards.   How to Stay Safe: Verify the charitys legitimacy on sites like Charity Navigator. Donate directly through the charitys official website.   4. Delivery Scams Fake package delivery notifications are another growing scam. Seniors receive emails or texts claiming theyve missed a delivery and are asked to click a link to reschedule. These links often download malware or request sensitive information.   What to Watch for: Messages with poor formatting or unusual requests for payment to reschedule. Notifications from companies the recipient hasnt ordered from.   How to Stay Safe: Verify the tracking information by visiting the delivery companys official website. Do not click links in unsolicited delivery messages.   Additional Tips for Protecting Seniors from Scams   Educate and Communicate: Take time to discuss common scams with your loved ones. Share real-life examples and role-play how to handle suspicious situations.   Use Technology Wisely: Help seniors set up strong, unique passwords for online accounts and enable two-factor authentication when possible.   Monitor Financial Activity: Encourage seniors to regularly review their bank and credit card statements for unusual transactions. If theyre comfortable, offer to assist them with this task.   Leverage Caller ID and Blocking Features: Scammers frequently use phone calls to target seniors. Ensure your loved ones phone is set up to block calls from unknown numbers and warn them not to share personal information over the phone.   Learn More from a Helpful Resource: For more in-depth information on protecting seniors from scams, visit the Federal Trade Commissions Consumer Information page. This site offers the latest updates on scam tactics, tips for avoiding fraud, and steps to take if a scam occurs.   How Amada Senior Care Can Help At Amada Senior Care, we are dedicated to the safety and well-being of seniors. Our caregivers are trained to provide companionship and safety guidance during the busy holiday season. By staying vigilant and informed, seniors can experience the joys of the season without falling victim to scams. Lets work together to make this holiday season merry, bright, and safe for all. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help protect your loved ones during the holidays and beyond. Amada Senior Care of Mobile and Baldwin is here to help.  Contact us at 251-305-4500

The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought incredible innovation to our lives, from facial recognition unlocking phones to smart assistants handling our schedules. However, AI also poses significant risks, such as phishing emails, deepfake videos, and voice simulations impersonating individuals. Seniors must be informed of AI fraud to prevent them from falling victim to such schemes.Scams to Be Aware of in 2024As AI technology advances, scammers are finding new ways to develop more intricate and believable schemes. Its important to stay updated on these emerging tactics to protect yourself and your loved ones. These are some of the most prevalent AI scams to watch out for in 2024:AI-Generated Email PhishingAI-generated phishing emails are designed to look incredibly convincing, often mimicking legitimate communications from trusted organizations. The sophistication of AI means that these emails can include personalized details, making them even harder to detect. For example, a phishing email might use an email address like boss@cornpany.com instead of boss@company.coma subtle but critical difference in spelling.To stay safe, always verify the senders email address, look for any inconsistencies in the message, and avoid clicking on suspicious links. If you get an invoice for something you are confident you did not purchase, dont click on the link or attachment; instead, go directly to your credit card account to ensure there are no fraudulent purchases. The same applies to money requests from apps like Venmo and PayPal; go directly to the source without clicking any links.Chatbot FraudChatbots have revolutionized customer service, but they can also be used maliciously. Fraudsters use AI-powered chatbots to engage with victims, extract personal or financial information, or direct them to phishing websites.Red flags for scams include urgent requests, offers that seem too good to be true, or unusual language or grammar. A good rule of thumb is to not share sensitive information like passwords or credit card details through chat interfaces.Deepfake ScamsDeepfakes are AI-generated audio and video clips that make it appear like someone is saying or doing something they never actually did. These can be used to create convincing scams. For example, a common scam involves someone calling and claiming to be a loved one in an emergency and needing money, often mimicking their voice. Instead of panicking and sending the money, you should verify the persons identity, usually by calling them directly.If you receive such a call, look for inconsistencies in video or audio quality, unusual behavior, or other red flags.Investment ScamsFraudsters may use AI to generate convincing investment opportunities, complete with fabricated data and endorsements from seemingly reputable sources. Be cautious of high-pressure sales tactics urging you to make a quick decision, and thoroughly investigate any investment opportunity and the company behind it. Be wary of offers that promise unusually high returns with little risk.If you suspect an investment scam, immediately report it to regulatory authorities and financial institutions like the SEC or FINRA.Social Media ManipulationAI can generate and spread misinformation on social media platforms, influencing public opinion and manipulating users. This can include fake news stories, fraudulent advertisements, and the impersonation of trusted figures.Limit your privacy settings on social media and only accept requests from known individuals. Always verify the credibility of the sources and accounts you follow as well.At The Oberon House in Arvada, CO, we always prioritize your safety and well-being. Your security is our top priority. Contact us today to learn more 303-420-7258.