Cybersecurity for families and seniors, without the tech jargon
Protection for households and older adults who want to guard their money, identity, and devices, and for the family members who help manage them.
Scams don’t need to hack you
Most scams that cost families money don’t involve a computer expert. They involve a phone call that sounds urgent, a text that looks official, or a login page that looks exactly like the real one. You don’t need to be tech-savvy to avoid them. You need to know what to look for and when to stop and check.
What’s happening right now
The most common scams are the ones that use fear or family ties to push you to act fast. A caller says your bank account is frozen, the IRS needs payment today, or a grandchild is in trouble and needs money wired right now. Real banks, government agencies, and family members don’t pressure you to pay in gift cards, wire money, or read out a code.
​
Fake login pages are another common route. A text or email that looks like it’s from your bank, Social Security, Medicare, or an insurance company links to a page that collects your username and password. Once a scammer has those, they can often log in to the real account.
​
Reused passwords make this worse. If you use the same password for your email, banking, and shopping, one breach at one website can open all of them.
​
The lesson: if someone pressures you to act now, the safe move is to hang up, wait, and call back using a number you already trust.
Four habits that protect your family
1. Call back on a number you already have. If a bank, agency, insurer, or family member asks for money or information, hang up. Then call the number on your card, statement, or the official website, not the one they gave you.
2. Never pay in gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers to someone who called you. Legitimate agencies and businesses don’t ask for payment this way.
3. Turn on multifactor authentication for email and banking. Use a text code, an authenticator app, or a security key. Email is the account that unlocks all the others, so start there.
4. Use a different password for every important account. A free, open-source password manager can generate and store them, so you only have to remember one master password.
Insurance, Medicare, and benefits scams
​
Older adults get targeted heavily with calls and mailings about insurance, Medicare, and health benefits. Watch for:
-
A “renewal” or “cancellation” notice that asks for payment or account details.
-
Callers who say they’re from Medicare or your insurer and ask for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank information.
-
An agent or adjuster who asks you to pay a fee to “speed up” a claim.
-
A login page that asks for your insurer login through an email or text link.
​
A legitimate insurer or agent will not pressure you to pay through an unfamiliar channel or to share your password. Verify by calling the number on your policy card or the company’s official website. For questions about choosing a plan, talk to a licensed agent or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which offers free, unbiased help.
Six Threats:
Learn how to spot them
Urgent Calls and Texts Pretending to Be Someone You Trust
-
A caller says a bank account is frozen, a government payment is due today, or a family member needs money right away.
-
Requests to pay in gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer.
-
Pressure to stay on the line or keep the call secret.
Phishing / Fake Login Pages
-
A text or email that looks like it’s from your bank, Social Security, or Medicare asks you to click a link and sign in.
-
A link that goes to a web address with extra words or characters that don’t match the real company name.
-
A request for your full password, PIN, or one-time code.
Account Takeover from Reused Passwords
-
Password reset emails for accounts you didn’t request.
-
Login alerts from places or devices you don’t recognize.
-
Purchases, transfers, or emails you don’t remember making.
Fake Tech Support and Device Lockouts
-
A pop-up or call warning that your computer is infected and telling you to call a number now.
-
Someone asking to remotely access your computer to “fix” a problem you didn’t report.
-
Charges for software or repairs you didn’t agree to.
Insurance, Medicare, and Benefits Scams
-
A renewal or cancellation notice that asks for immediate payment or account details.
-
A caller asking for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank information.
-
An adjuster or agent who asks for a fee to speed up a claim.
Shared Devices, Old Accounts, and Oversharing
-
Old phone numbers or email addresses still linked to bank or account logins.
-
Shared family devices or accounts where no one knows who has access.
-
Personal details, travel plans, or account hints posted publicly on social media.