Online Safety and Scam Prevention for Seniors and Families
Learn how to recognize common scams, protect important accounts, and make safer choices online.
Start With Four Basic Habits
These simple steps reduce the risk of common account, payment, and identity scams.
Check the Website Address
Before signing in or paying, read the full website address. A padlock means the connection is encrypted, but it does not prove that the site is legitimate.
Pause Before Opening Links
Unexpected links can lead to fake login or payment pages. Open the official app or type a known website address instead.
Use Unique Passwords
Use a different long password for each important account. A reputable password manager can create and store them for you.
Turn On Multi-Factor Authentication
Choose a passkey or authenticator app when available. Text-message codes are a useful fallback when stronger options are not offered.
Top Financial Scams Targeting Older Adults
Learn how common scams work, which warning signs to watch for, and what to do before sending money or sharing information.
QR Code Scams
A fake QR code can send you to an imitation payment or login page. Scammers may place one over a real code or include it in an unexpected message or mailing.
How to Protect Yourself
Do not scan a code from an unexpected message or handout.
Check for a sticker placed over the original code.
Preview and read the website address before opening it.
Use the official app or type a known website address when possible.
The Grandparent Scam
A caller or message claims a relative is in trouble and needs money immediately. Scammers may impersonate relatives, police officers, lawyers, or doctors and may use a cloned voice.
How to Protect Yourself
End the call and contact the relative on a known number.
Ask another family member to verify the story.
Do not send gift cards, cryptocurrency, cash, or wire transfers.
Treat demands for secrecy or immediate action as warning signs.
Home Repair and Contractor Fraud
After storms or other property damage, an unlicensed contractor may demand a large deposit, perform poor work, or disappear without completing the job.
How to Protect Yourself
Verify the contractor license and insurance before work begins.
Get more than one written estimate.
Use a written contract that defines the work and payment schedule.
Avoid large upfront payments and unexpected door-to-door offers.
Account Takeover Scams
Criminals use stolen passwords, phishing, or malware to enter email, banking, shopping, or social media accounts. They may change recovery settings, steal money, or impersonate the account owner.
How to Protect Yourself
Use a unique password for every important account.
Turn on multi-factor authentication.
Review login alerts and unexpected account changes promptly.
If access is lost, contact the provider through its official website.
Fake Check Scams
A scammer sends a check, asks you to deposit it, and then tells you to return part of the money or buy gift cards. The bank can reverse the deposit after finding that the check is fake.
How to Protect Yourself
Do not accept an unexpected check from a stranger.
Do not send money or buy gift cards after depositing a check.
Ask your bank to review a suspicious check before using the funds.
Remember that available funds do not prove a check has cleared.
Social Media Investment Fraud
Posts, ads, or private messages promise high returns with little risk. A fake platform may show profits, then demand more money or fees before allowing a withdrawal.
How to Protect Yourself
Be cautious with investment offers sent through social media or messaging apps.
Verify the person and company through official regulator websites.
Treat guaranteed returns and urgent deadlines as warning signs.
Do not invest because of pressure, romance, or personal flattery.
Romance Scams
Someone forms an online relationship, avoids meeting in person, and then asks for money, account access, or help with an investment.
How to Protect Yourself
Do not send money to someone you have not met in person.
Do not share banking details, passwords, or security codes.
Use a reverse image search to check profile photos.
Talk to someone you trust before responding to a financial request.
Tech Support Scams
A pop-up, call, text, or email claims that a device or account has a serious problem. The scammer asks for remote access, payment, passwords, or security codes.
How to Protect Yourself
Do not call a phone number shown in an unexpected pop-up.
Do not allow remote access after an unsolicited contact.
Close the browser or restart the device if a warning will not dismiss.
Contact the company through its official website or ask a trusted technician for help.
Robocall and Robotext Scams
Automated calls and texts may impersonate banks, delivery companies, utilities, Medicare, or government agencies to collect money or personal information.
How to Protect Yourself
Hang up instead of pressing a button on a suspicious robocall.
Do not reply to a text that asks for payment or account details.
Verify the message using a known phone number or official app.
Use call-blocking and spam-filtering features when available.
Medicare and Health Insurance Scams
A caller offers free benefits, replacement cards, or medical equipment to obtain Medicare numbers, banking details, or permission to bill for services.
How to Protect Yourself
Do not give Medicare or banking details to an unexpected caller.
Ignore offers for benefits or equipment you did not request.
Contact Medicare or the insurer using a known phone number.
Review benefit statements for services you did not receive.
Government Impersonation Scams
A scammer claims to represent the IRS, Social Security, law enforcement, or another agency and threatens arrest, account closure, or lost benefits unless you act immediately.
How to Protect Yourself
Government agencies do not demand gift cards or cryptocurrency.
End the contact and call the agency using an official number.
Do not trust caller ID because it can be changed or spoofed.
Do not share personal, banking, or tax information with an unexpected caller.
Phishing
An email or text imitates a trusted person or business and creates urgency so you will open a link, download a file, or reveal account information.
How to Protect Yourself
Do not open unexpected links or attachments.
Open the official app or type the known website address yourself.
Check the sender address and message details carefully.
Report suspicious messages and delete them after verification.
Request Free Group Training
Free cybersecurity awareness sessions are available for senior centers, churches, clubs, and community groups across Central Florida.
Each session uses plain English, practical examples, and time for questions.