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Older Adults And Online Identity Theft: Our Clearwater Elder Law Attorney Explains The Risks

ElderPlan

Online identity theft poses serious threats to older adults. After the CrowdStrike IT outage that impacted emergency service providers and major businesses around the globe, you may be wondering how secure you and your accounts are.

Fortunately, recent global events have not impacted most people personally (unless you were waiting on a flight), but the risks are very real. Our Clearwater elder law attorney explains how older adults are frequent targets of online identity theft and ways to protect yourself.

Online Identity Theft And Older Adults

According to the Pew Research Center, nearly 80 percent of people aged 65 or older are Internet users. Going online provides a way to get news, learn new things, purchase needed items, communicate with family and friends, and engage in other activities. However, it also poses serious risks.

Online security is a major issue, which is where companies such as CrowdStrike come in. They provide security for networks around the world, but a single glitch with a software update was enough to send the system crashing down.

While this recent event may not have impacted you personally, it does raise awareness of the importance of using caution online. Ways in which internet identity theft can happen include:

  • Downloads and viruses: Opening downloads via email or other sources could give scammers access to your computer and private information.
  • Fraudulent websites: Clicking on ads and making purchases online through fraudulent websites may allow access to personal information, bank accounts, and credit card numbers.
  • Imposters: Scammers may pose as friends, family members, or even government agencies in order to exploit you.
  • Social media pictures: Sharing photos of yourself with friends can be fun, but these photos can be used to create a new, fraudulent identity.

Protecting Yourself Against Online Identity Theft 

Through online identity theft, scammers can get access to your bank accounts, lines of credit, and government benefits. Sadly, they can quickly deplete everything you have worked so hard to achieve and may jeopardize your family or friends, often before you even realize what happened.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns that people over 65 are among those most frequently targeted by online scams, as they tend to have more assets yet be less computer savvy than their younger counterparts. As an older adult, it is vitally important to take steps to protect yourself against identity theft and other online scams:

  • Set your social media to private;
  • Avoid accepting friend requests or sharing posts from people you do not know;
  • Only deal with reputable online retailers;
  • Use virus protection on your computer and avoid opening downloads;
  • Avoid sharing personal information online or in emails.

Contact Our Clearwater Elder Law Attorney

Older adults are vulnerable to online identity theft and other types of exploitation. With over 44 years of experience serving the local community, Clearwater elder law attorney William Rambaum provides the trusted legal guidance needed to protect yourself and your assets. To request a consultation, contact our office today.

Sources:

cnbc.com/2024/07/19/latest-live-updates-on-a-major-it-outage-spreading-worldwide.html

pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/01/13/share-of-those-65-and-older-who-are-tech-users-has-grown-in-the-past-decade/#:~:text=When%20it%20comes%20to%20internet,who%20report%20being%20internet%20users.

ftc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/public_comments/ftc-seeks-public-input-how-identity-theft-impacts-senior-citizens-project-no.p065411-00009%C2%A0/00009-83187.pdf

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