While identity theft and fraud can strike people of all ages, senior citizens may be particularly vulnerable.
Fraud is the top crime against older Canadians, according to the intergovernmental Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors. Reasons for that may include that seniors may be home more often during the day to answer the door or the telephone, according to the organization. They may also be more trusting and may not have family or friends nearby to ask for a second opinion.
Are the seniors in your life aware of fraud and identity theft risks? Here are some frauds and scams that may target senior citizens:
Online and email scams
Scammers may use pop-up browser windows to warn of a virus or tout virus-scanning software, prompting victims to buy and download a fake anti-virus program – or even an actual virus that may open the information on their computer to scammers. Also, phishing emails may appear to be from a legitimate company or financial institution, asking them to log in to their accounts.
What you can do: Explain the risks of pop-up windows warning of a “virus” or other computer issue, and help them install and update reputable anti-virus protection on their computers. Teach them how to recognize phishing emails – for instance, they can hover over the sender’s address to see if it matches that of the company. Encourage them not to log in to their accounts from an email link, but go to the company or financial institution’s web site directly or contact them to verify a communication is legitimate.
Identity theft
A scammer may try to get information such as a bank card or personal identity number, credit card number, health card number, or a driver’s license or Social Insurance number. They can then apply for credit cards, take out loans or withdraw funds in the person’s name.
What you can do: If their wallets are lost or stolen or mail is missing, encourage seniors to report it to banks and credit card companies as well as law enforcement. Help them find a secure place for personal documents and encourage them to leave items at home they may not need, such as their SIN card or passport.
Source: https://www.consumer.equifax.ca/personal/education/identity/protect-seniors-fraud-identity-theft