Setting Technology Boundaries and Guidelines for Seniors

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

This chilling scene from The Beekeeper is a dramatic yet realistic example of a type of phishing scam directed at seniors: Eloise, a retired schoolteacher, is on her computer looking over charity accounts that she manages when a virus warning pops up. She calls the provided number, which unknowingly to her connects to a call center operated by a phishing scam operation.The call center rep portrays a support desk tech and during his conversation with Eloise, he lies about the source of the virus warning. She falls into his trap by installing fake antivirus software, which links to all the charity accounts. The connected malware drains over $2 million from the charities Eloise runs. She realizes too late what has happened and is left in despair.Among the fastest-growing cybercrimes targeting seniors today are phishing or smishing scams. In phishing/smishing scams, criminals send fake messages to trick seniors into giving away personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or even one-time passwords (OTP) for account verification.Why are seniors often preferred targets for these scams, and how can they stay protected? Heres a comprehensive guide to help you and your loved ones stay safe from smishing.Why Are Seniors a Preferred Target for Phishing/Smishing Scams?Seniors are often targeted by scammers for several reasons:Less Familiarity with Technology: Many seniors arent as familiar with new digital threats, making them more vulnerable to smishing and phishing techniques.Trusting Nature: Scammers exploit the trusting nature of seniors, knowing that they may be more likely to believe the legitimacy of a message.Isolation: Scammers often prey on seniors who may be isolated or lonely, making them more willing to respond to messages, even from unknown numbers.Financial Independence: Many seniors control their own finances or have access to retirement funds, which makes them valuable targets.Keep reading for more about the different types of phishing and smishing scams and how to recognize and avoid them.Common Types of Phishing and Smishing ScamsOne-Time Password (OTP) ScamOne-time passwords (OTPs) are security codes sent to your phone to verify your identity when logging into accounts or making transactions. Scammers try to trick seniors into giving up these codes, allowing them to take control of their accounts.Example  Your Venmo account login is suspicious. Please verify your identity by providing the OTP sent to your phone.In this case, the scammer is pretending to be a trusted company and trying to get the OTP that was sent to you for your own security. Never share your OTP with anyone, especially through text messages or phone calls. If you receive an unexpected OTP request, its a red flag that someone may be trying to access your account.Bank Account and Credit Card ScamsThese messages often warn of suspicious activity on your bank account or credit card and ask you to take immediate action by clicking a link or providing your details.Example  Your account at Bank of America has been temporarily locked due to unusual activity. Click here to unlock your account: www.fakebanklogin.com.Banks will never ask you to verify your account through a text link. Always contact your bank directly using the phone number from your card or statement if you suspect an issue.Delivery ScamsScammers will send messages claiming that you have a package waiting for delivery, but they need additional information to process it.Example  UPS: We tried to deliver your package but need additional information. Please provide it here: www.fakedelivery.com.These messages are often designed to capture your personal information or steal credit card details. Always check with the delivery service directly through their official app or website.Fake Tech Support ScamsScammers impersonate tech support from well-known companies, claiming that your device has been compromised.Example:   Microsoft: Your device has been infected with malware. Click here to install antivirus software immediately.Legitimate tech support will never contact you this way. These scams aim to trick you into downloading malicious software that can steal personal data.Government or Tax ScamsScammers impersonate government agencies like the IRS, warning about unpaid taxes or offering refunds in an attempt to steal personal information.Example  IRS: You have an overdue payment of $1,500. Please pay immediately to avoid legal action.Government agencies will never ask for personal information or payments via text. Contact the agency directly if youre ever unsure.How to Report a Phishing/Smishing ScamIf you or a loved one encounters a suspicious text message, its important to report it to help stop the scammer from targeting others.Heres what you can do:Forward the Scam TextIn the U.S., you can forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM). This service is provided by most major mobile carriers, and they will investigate suspicious messages.Report Scam to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission)You can report smishing and other frauds to the FTC by visiting their website at ftc.gov/complaint. Reporting these scams can help law enforcement track and shut down fraud rings.Report Scam to the Company Being ImpersonatedIf the scam text appears to be from a well-known company (like Amazon, your bank, or the IRS), you can report it directly to their fraud department.Block and Delete the Number from Suspicious MessageIf you receive a suspicious message, block the sender immediately and delete the text. Never engage with the message, as scammers can collect information based on your replies.Tips for Seniors to Protect Yourself from Smishing ScamsBe Skeptical of Urgent RequestsSmishing messages often create a sense of urgency, pressuring you to act quickly. Dont let the panic take overslow down and think it through.Verify with the Company DirectlyIf a message seems to come from a known company or institution, contact them using their official phone number or website. Never use the contact information provided in the suspicious message.Look for Red FlagsCommon red flags include poor grammar, generic greetings, and unsolicited offers. Trust your instinctsif something feels off, it probably is.Never Share Personal Information via TextLegitimate organizations will never ask for your passwords, credit card numbers, or OTPs via text. Always keep this information private.Install Security SoftwareThere are security apps that help detect and block phishing or smishing attempts. Consider installing one to safeguard your mobile device.Educate Your Loved OnesTalk to seniors about these common scams, and make sure they feel comfortable asking for help if they receive a suspicious message. Staying connected and informed can make all the difference. Keep Alert for New Scams Targeting SeniorsBy educating yourself and your loved ones about smishing and other scams, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to these harmful schemes. Always be cautious, never share personal information through text, and report suspicious activity immediately. Remember: when in doubt, dont click, dont reply, and always verify.