Many of us are spending more time online than ever before. Online shopping, paying bills, connecting with friends and family is part of our lifestyle now.
If we are spending so much time online, how can we ensure we’re doing it safely?
Cyber safety and internet security are tricky even for those of us who understand how to work the internet. When you have someone doing online banking whose memory or judgment is impaired, it is important for care partners to work with them to do it safely.
I knew just the person to ask for more information on this topic.
Dawn Thomas is the seniors safety co-ordinator for Digby area seniors safety program.
Thomas and the other seniors safety co-ordinators across the province work in partnership with the RCMP and local policing agencies to ensure seniors are safe at home.
One of the areas they focus on is online safety, fraud and scam prevention. Scams that target people online or by phone are becoming more frequent and it’s important to know what to look for.
“A popular one right now is the merchandise scam,” said Thomas. “People claim to be selling cars, animals and rental properties and ask you to put down a deposit but there really isn’t anything for sale.”
These scammers use resale websites like Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji. If you see an ad that looks like it could be a merchandise scam, you should report it to the website as soon as possible. If you are scammed in this manner, you should report it to both the website and the police.
“We also see extortion scams,” said Thomas. “You think it’s the (Canada Revenue Agency) calling, and they threaten that you haven’t paid your taxes, and they want your social insurance number and make threats to call the police.”
These scams can be frightening and the scammers can be very persuasive. You should be wary of any call, text or email asking for your social insurance number, credit card, banking numbers and any other personal information.
Have someone help you do your research and call the company directly to see if they are who they say they are.
Scams are becoming more common on social media and we know that older adults are using social media more and more. It’s important to be careful with what and whom we interact with on social media.
“We talk a lot about what is safe to like and share,” said Thomas. “It’s important to know that your activity leaves a digital footprint. The internet is watching and addressing what they think you’re going to click on and share.”
With education and support, we can do our best to ensure everyone has a safe online experience. There are a lot of resources to help you learn about internet safety, which you can find on our website.
Families and care partners should stay involved and work with those you care for to help keep their identity safe. As always, our team of knowledgeable and caring staff are here to help you. Give us a call at 1-800-611-6345.
Catherine Shepherd is the regional co-ordinator, education and outreach, Cape Breton at Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia.
