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Author: Home Helpers Home Care

Home Care in Topanga, CA and Surrounding Areas

January 28 is National Data Privacy Day. While many forms of data need to be kept private, one area that many seniors often struggle with is online data privacy. While using online sources to conduct much of our business and engage in social connections is probably reaching the point that many people (including the elderly) are more comfortable with it, going online for any reason still has dangers if your elderly loved one is not aware of the many ways thieves on the internet can steal their data and use it for themselves.

This January 28, set aside some time to talk to your loved one about staying safe online.

Most Common Online Frauds That Happen to Seniors

While anyone can get tricked into sharing information they shouldn’t online or clicking a dangerous link, seniors are often targeted with very specific scams. These scams prey upon their care and concern for others as well as their often lack of experience in understanding the ins and outs of how the internet works.

• Imposter Scams with Threats. These scams try to scare your loved one into providing payments by threatening to turn off the power or send them to jail.
• Imposter Scams with Family Crisis. These scammers will say they are a family member in dire need of money.
• Tech Support Scams. Your loved one may get an email or even a pop-up message that says her computer needs immediate service and then ask for permission to scan it. The scammer then grabs all of her personal information from there.
• Relationship Scams. If your loved one is on social media, someone may reach out to form a friendship. As that friendship grows, they may begin to ask for money.
• Winners Scams. Your loved one is told she won a prize, but she has to cover the shipping cost and then never receives the prize.

Four Tips for Safe Online Use for Your Elderly Loved One

1. Talk about it! Explain the different types of scams to your loved one and be patient with questions she may have. Also, explain to her that scammers are always creating new ways so she should always be leery about sharing information. Make a list of information she should never share online.
2. Check that all devices are locked securely when she’s not using them. Laptops, iPads, and phones should all have security measures that only she and a trusted family member can access. If she changes PIN codes to open a laptop or phone, make sure she updates the family member who also keeps that information securely for her.
3. Update security protocol. Many online programs have Multi-factor Authentication protocol so even if a hacker gets a password, they can’t go any further. Help your loved one get set up with these extra protocol steps to keep her safe.
4. Have her check in with a trusted person before she makes any online purchases. Ask your loved one to always check with a family member or a home care provider before she sends any information or money online, even if the person requesting the money/information says it’s urgent. Having someone like a family member or home care professional provide a second set of eyes can help protect your loved one from making a costly mistake.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Topanga, CA, please contact the caring staff at Home Helpers Home Care of Ventura County today at (805) 386-1031.

Home Helpers Home Care of Ventura County provides exceptional home care for seniors in Thousand Oaks, Westlake, Ventura, Camarillo, Simi Valley, Agoura, West Hills, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Topanga and surrounding areas.