Facts:
75% of adults 50-80 reported experiencing a scam attempt and 30% experienced fraud
800,000 cybercrime related complaints were filed in 2022 with an estimated $10.3 billion in damages. Much more currently
In 2023 approximately 112 million people were affected by healthcare data breaches reported by more than 540 organizations
$3.1 billion in losses from 88,000 total fraud complaint affecting older adults in 2022 with 40% more today
There were 70,000 complaints about a romance scam in 2022 resulting in $1.3 billion in losses.
Scam Tactics
- Text message from a stranger
- A text or email that one of your accounts was suspended
- A fake business email
- Social media friend requests
- Pop-up ad, infomercial, or ad on social media
- Phone calls from seemingly familiar numbers
- QR codes directing you to a crypto-currency ATM
- Robocalls
What to do
- Ignore phone numbers you don’t recognize. You DON’T need to pick up.
- Ignore unsolicited links in e mails, texts and social media. Don’t click.
- Hang up. If you receive a call from an unknown number asking for personal information, simply hang up. If it’s a company or government agency, contact the source directly through a trusted phone number.If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a grandchild or close relative in an emergency situation, call the person directly using a phone number that you know is correct. Remember: scammers will often find information from social media and other sources to make the situation sound convincing even using AI to mimic a loved one’s voice.
- Verify. If you receive a marketing call or a call from a charity obtain information that you can verify through a trusted source. The New York Attorney General’s office has a charities registry at https://ag.ny.gov/resources/organizations/charities-nonprofits-fundraisers
What Not to Do
- Never provide personal information to an unsolicited email, caller, text, social media site, website/pop-up ad. Personal information includes your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, driver’s license, bank or credit card numbers and Medicare number among others
- Do not send money or gift cards to someone you don’t know
- Be especially cautious about signing contracts or the documentation. Whenever possible, consult professional help first.
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