We seniors are often targeted by unscrupulous bottom-feeders on the web, emails, text messages and robocalls. Here are some tips that can help us recognize and combat these slimeballs.
- Emails and Texts
There are 2 categories that we need to watch out for. Here's an example of the 1st, which we'll call
"Spoofs from Unknowns":
Subject Line: Fedex 2 day AM
We could not deliver your parcel, #0000075734499.
… and so forth, with a link you should hit to get redelivery.
What we know: We don't recall ordering anything, and, we know that Fedex doesn't have our email address.
What we do: Just delete, without clicking on anything. No thinking required here.
Here's an example of the 2nd, which we'll call
"Spoofs from Knowns":
Subject Line: Your Amazon points are about to expire
Dear [your email address]:
Don't let your Amazon bonus points expire. Click here to …
What we know: We know we have an Amazon account.
What we don't know: We don't know if this is actually from Amazon.
What we do: We run it by this great article from Amazon. Their advice applies not only to emails from themselves, but also from your bank, your IRA, etc. This is excellent advice!
- Facebook
There are 2 things to especially watch on Facebook.
Friend Requests. Do you know this person? If not, why would they want to be your "friend"? Why would you want to be theirs? Ignore these requests.
Do you know the person? Many a friend request is actually a spoof from a bottom feeder who has hacked one of your friend's accounts. If you know the person, scan your Friends list to make sure the person is already a Friend. If they are:
- Email or phone our actual friend and let them know what's going on.
- Report the spoofer. Read Facebook's Hacked and Fake Accounts article to find out how.
Games and "Apps". Facebook games are actually apps, so this is all about apps. Facebook apps are allowed to pull your entire friend list and other info from your account. By opting in to the app, you are giving it (i.e, whomever created it) permission to do that. That puts you and your friends in danger of being spoofed or hacked. My advice is to NOT opt in to any games or other apps. You want to play a game? Go to Bingo Night. Join a bridge club.
- Telephone
Most of us have been receiving unwanted robocalls for years. Recently I have spoken to several friends who have had calls from the "Social Security Administration." The calls threaten action unless you comply. Fact: The Social Security Administration does not call you up. A banner at the top of the ssa.gov site asks, "What should I do if I get a call claiming there's a problem with my Social Security number or account?" Clicking on that question brings up this page.
- Postal Mail (snail-mail)
Recently, we've seen a lot of mail that looks official, but isn't. Mailings like this often arrive in brown envelopes and look like they originated from a government agency, like Medicare, Social Security or the IRS. They are typically scams that tell you your warranty or web domain needs updating, or that you need to renew something. Looks can be deceiving. Below are common warning signs of a mail scam:
- A claim that you have been specially selected
- A request that you "confirm your personal information"
- Use of suspicious official-looking documents (e.g., "IMPORTANT MEDICARE NOTICE") or fake government seals
- A request for your credit card or other payment mechanism for "shipping and handling"
- Use of threats if you don't comply – even the threat of arrest
What to do? Drop the envelope in the nearest recycling bin, or use it to light a cigar or fireplace logs!
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