With increased Internet usage trending among Baby Boomers and older, the Digital Age is no longer unknown territory for many seniors. That doesn’t mean they might not need help navigating their way through what’s out there, including potential for fraud, says experts.

The key is to be aware and informed.

According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), Internet fraud is of concern for seniors. This can be linked to a slower speed of adoption to Internet technology including web and email programs.

“Pop-up browser windows simulating virus-scanning software will fool victims into either downloading a fake anti-virus program (at a substantial cost) or an actual virus that will open up whatever information is on the user’s computer to scammers,” says NCOA, in a Top 10 Scams Targeting Seniors feature. “Their unfamiliarity with the less visible aspects of browsing the web (firewalls and built-in virus protection, for example) make seniors especially susceptible to such traps.”

The NCOA lists email/phishing scams as prevalent in targeting older Internet users. Wikipedia defines phishing as “the attempt to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details (and sometimes, indirectly, money), often for malicious reasons, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.”

In this online fraudulent practice, computer users receive email messages appearing to be from a legitimate company or institution, asking them to “update” or “verify” their personal information.

A senior may also receive emails that appear to be from the IRS about a tax refund. The IRS normally sends out correspondence regarding personal tax information through the U.S. mail.

“The best defense is to always be leery of something on the Internet that might sound to good to be true, because more than likely it is,” says Great Care Founder and CEO Julie Sullivan. “We suggest asking a caregiver, family member or friend knowledgeable about the Internet to provide some help and advice. It never hurts to ask.”

Social networking among seniors is on the rise as well, according to the Pew Research Center. Pew estimates 46% of online seniors use social networking sites. Many older Americans use it to see pictures of their grandkids and catch up with family and old friends they may have been out of touch with over the years. As with any Internet technology, seniors should be aware that anything posted on the Internet remains there forever, even if deleted. Microsoft provides these helpful tips, available on seniornet.org, to protect senior social network users:

• Use caution when you click links you receive in messages from your friends on your social website.
• Know what you’ve posted about yourself.
• Don’t trust that a message really is from whom it says it’s from.
• To avoid giving away e-mail addresses of your friends, do not allow social networking services to scan your e-mail address book.
• Type the address of your social networking site directly into your browser or use your personal bookmarks.
• Be selective about who you accept as a friend on a social network.
• Choose your social network carefully. Evaluate the site that you plan to use and make sure you understand the privacy policy.
• Assume that everything you put on a social networking site is permanent.
• Be careful about installing extras on your site. Many social networking sites allow you to download third-party applications that let you do more with your personal page.
• Think twice before you use social networking sites at work.
• Talk to your kids about social networking.

– See more at: http://seniornet.org/blog/11-tips-for-social-networking-safety/#.dpuf

The professionals at Great Care are available to talk with you and your family about all of your home care needs. Great Care is a non medical in-home care agency providing quality and affordable elder care in Fishers, IN and the surrounding areas. Call (317) 595-9933 for more information.