National Senior Safety Week: Scam Prevention

National Senior Safety Week is November 6 – 12. This year, The Insurance Market would like to draw focus on the disproportionate rate of seniors being targeted in online scams. The pandemic pushed many individuals to interact online – those who were unfamiliar with technology became vulnerable to cyber risks.

Seniors who are unfamiliar with technology are a prime target for scams. It is wrong to think of anyone presently taking advantage of seniors. “In today’s world the internet and e-communication can be important tools for seniors and we all play a role in supporting this vulnerable segment of society with education and appropriate security measures such that they are not taken advantage of on-line.” (Gareth Jones, President and CEO of the Canada Safety Council, 2022).

“In 2022, through to the end of July, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre received reports of 674 cases, 273 victims and a staggering $2.7 million in monetary losses. Comparatively, the full 2021 calendar year saw 379 cases, 115 victims, and $1.7 million in losses.”

Read below for safety tips on preventing yourself and our seniors from becoming a victim of cyber scams:

Do Not Share Personal Information

Never share any personal information over the phone or by email. This includes SIN numbers, health card numbers, credit/debit card information, passwords, or personal identification numbers. Someone can easily impersonate or pose as a business or organization to try to steal your sensitive information.

Do Not Share Information on Cold Calls

If someone calls you and asks for information, please hang up.

Do Not Answer Unknown Phone Numbers

If someone calls you from an unknown phone number or “No Called ID”, do not answer the phone. It is likely a scammer calling to steal your information. If it is someone trying to get a hold of you, they can leave a voicemail and you can call them back later.

Do Not Open Emails, Attachments or Messages from Unknown Contacts

The sender may be intentionally trying to expose you to a virus, malware, ransomware, or phishing scam. If you don’t know the sender, do not open the email, and delete the message.

Be Confident!

Many cyber scammers will try to intimidate you and scare you into giving away your personal information. Try to focus on what is being said, not how it is being said and take control of the conversation.

Stay Protected with TIM!

TIM would like to remind you to stay vigilant against cybercrimes to protect your sensitive information. It is also important to protect our seniors and loved ones by educating them about the warning signs of cyber scams.

TIM has the right insurance coverage to protect you against cyberattacks. Contact us today for more information.

For more information, please visit The Canada Safety Council.

If you think you may have been victimized by a scam, please report the incident to the police or contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.