Encourage caution with email: Teach your parents to be cautious about clicking on links or opening attachments in emails, especially if the email is from an unfamiliar sender. Even emails from a familiar sender should be viewed with a cautious eye. For example, scammers will often send emails using logos from brands, saying that their subscription has expired, and click on the link to update the billing information.

• Make sure you look at the email address. No legitimate brand will send an email from a @gmail domain.
• Misspellings in the domain is a sure way to see if it is a phishing email.
• Misspellings or poorly worded emails from a brand can also give insight into a phishing email.

Install antivirus software: Install antivirus software on their computer to protect against viruses and malware.

Set up strong passwords: Create strong, unique passwords for their online accounts and encourage them to use two-factor authentication whenever possible. There are password manager sites, like 1Password, that are safe and encrypted, where you can store all your passwords and logins for various accounts.

Limit personal information online: Advise your parents to be careful about sharing personal information online, including on social media and in online forums.

Track the number of credit cards and their balance: As a caregiver of a family member, it is important to know what credit cards your parents are using. To simplify, you could perhaps agree on what credit cards they are using, and then as a caregiver help them look through their bank statements to see if anything looks suspicious.  

Be wary of unsolicited phone calls: Remind your parents to be wary of unsolicited phone calls and never give out personal or financial information over the phone.

One specific phone scam to be aware of is the “grandparents’ scam.” This scam is someone calling from a spoofed phone number posing as his or her grandchild. This person explains, in a panic-stricken voice, that he or she is in trouble. Usually, the trouble is either a car accident or an arrest. The victim is immediately caught off guard and asked over the phone to give their credit card information.

Stay up to date on the latest scams: Keep yourself informed about the latest scams so you can warn your parents about them. You can find information about current scams on websites like the FTC’s website.

Overall, be patient and understanding with your elderly parents as they navigate the online world. Encourage them to ask questions and seek your help if they are unsure about something. By staying vigilant and taking these steps, you can help protect your elderly parents from scams.

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