Seniors
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The Internet provides excellent opportunities for seniors and retirees to meet people, conduct business, plan travel, access records, stay in touch with friends and family, and support hobbies and entertainment interests. But older people have unique vulnerabilities to online risks, and crimes are increasingly tailored specifically to exploit older Internet users.
For example, while an online scam targeting minors is going to promise trips to Disneyland or cool toys, those aimed at seniors are more likely to offer discount drugs health insurance, or investment opportunities. Phishing scams frequently target seniors with ‘’bank notices” or official looking “government documents.’’ And, information found online may give a criminal the incentive and means to rob a senior’s home or steal their identity.
Though many seniors are very computer savvy, many more are not. As an increasing number of retirees and seniors use social networks, conduct business and participate in online communities, they need an increasing array of protections to provide validation, verification, and authentication.
Recommended Resources:
- Internet Safety for Seniors: Washington State Office of the Attorney General
- Look Both Ways: Internet Safety For Seniors
- FBI's "Common Fraud Schemes Targeting Senior Citizens" Webpage
- SeniorNet-Provides older adults education and access to computer technologies