Cyber security for seniors

Estimated reading time
 4 min

Key points

• Online safety for seniors is important as it can help protect private information, like date of birth and account details, from being stolen and can ensure retirement savings are safe from threats.
  
  
• Some scam red flags include unexpected contact from someone impersonating an official agency or receiving a message with a suspicious link.
  
  
• We’re here with five essential tips to help seniors stay safe online, as well as what to do if you think you’ve been scammed.

Whether video calling a family member overseas, shopping online, reading the news or even playing games on tablets, older Australians are using the internet and other devices to stay connected and engaged.

However, not being raised on the internet like the younger generations of ‘digital natives’, older people might be more susceptible to certain types of scams like investment scams, romance scams or remote access scams. This could be due to factors like misplaced trust, lack of digital literacy, or difficulty in spotting the signs of a scam.

But online safety isn’t just for the young – all Australians should feel confident and safe when using their devices. That’s why we’re sharing some ways older Australians can stay smart and safe online. 

Why is online safety for seniors important?

Online safety is important because it may help protect personal data and finances, including your retirement funds. By considering effective online security practices, you might reduce the risk of identity theft, fraud, and unauthorised access to your accounts.

This could include protecting sensitive information from cybercriminals, making sure that your personal and financial details remain secure and preventing potential misuse of your data. The potential for online crime is a scary thought, which is why considering and implementing different preventative measures can be helpful for boosting your online security. 

How might you determine if it’s a scam?

A scam is when someone tries to trick you into transferring money to a fraudulent account or sharing personal information for their own use. For example, a scammer might pretend to be a family member in need to convince you to send them money quickly. Scammers often rely on a sense of urgency and emotions to prompt hasty decisions without careful consideration.

A scammer might contact you through a message on your phone, a call or email. They may impersonate someone you might trust to try and get you to share personal information, like your passwords or banking details, or encourage you to transfer money.

Here’s a quick list of some signs that might indicate the message or call you received could be a scam:

• You receive an unexpected call, email or message, where the person contacting you pretends to be from a trusted organisation, like the government or your bank. They might also impersonate someone you trust, like a family member or friend.
  
  
• A message you receive includes links or attachments and the sender encourages you to click on or download them (this scam is called phishing). If you click on a link, you might be directed to a website that doesn’t look quite right – there might be low-quality logos, a slightly different URL (for example, ANZ might be ANZZ), or a lack of contact information.
  
  
• The person contacting you might pressure you to comply with their request. They might also threaten you with serious consequences, such as sending you a fine or locking your account, if you don’t comply.
  
  
• They offer you an enticing opportunity to make extra money, or they might offer you a generous refund or rebate. The catch? To access this money, the scammer may ask you to pay a fee.
  
  
• You receive a message on social media from someone you know, but their request seems unusual or their communication style is different from when you normally talk to them. These are signs that might indicate their account has been hacked or that someone is impersonating them.

5 online safety tips for seniors

1. If someone asks you for personal information, take a moment to pause. Consider whether it’s necessary to share your personal information with the website or person requesting it.
   
   
2. Using multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your devices and accounts can provide an additional layer of security. For example, you might use a password and a one-time code on an authentication app or via text message for online banking.
   
   
3. Recognise the signs of a scam and report it. Understanding the common scam red flags might help you identify potential scams early. In addition, reporting any information you shared with a scammer to the authorities might help reduce the impact and protect others.
   
   
4. Turning on automatic updates on your devices might help protect against malware and prevent unauthorised access.
   
   
5. Using a family code word could be a quick and simple way to verify that you’re speaking to a genuine loved one and reduce vulnerability to phone or voice spoofing scams.

What can you do if you think you’ve been scammed? 

Falling for a scam or getting hacked can happen to anyone. If you suspect that you’ve been scammed, there are some steps you can take to help protect yourself:

• Consider reporting the account or phone number that the scammer used to contact you through with your phone’s in-built reporting mechanism or to a trusted authority, such as Scamwatch or ReportCyber. If it’s a social media account, you can report them by visiting their profile, clicking on the three little dots on the profile (or it may be an arrow or the word ‘more’, depending on the platform), and choosing the report option. If they called you, most mobile phones have options to block and report unknown numbers.
  
  
• If the scammer contacts you again, don’t respond to them.
  
  
• You might want to reset your passwords and passcodes on all your accounts and devices.
  
  
• Running a scan for any viruses on your devices could also be helpful. Depending on your device and operating system, you may be able to perform this by going to your system settings, selecting ‘security’ and it should be there. If you’re struggling to find it, then type in ‘security scan’ into your phone’s search bar and it’ll take you there. If the scan detects anything suspicious, you could consider deleting it.
  
  
• If you’ve shared financial information or transferred money, contact your bank immediately. If you’re an ANZ customer, contact us immediately to report the fraud. 
  
  
• If you shared credit card details, ‘block’ or cancel those cards immediately. If your cards are with ANZ, you can report the stolen card through the ANZ app or by calling us. 

How can you report cybercrime or a scam?

• Help others by reporting to Scamwatch or to the Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre’s ReportCyber.
  
  
• For phishing or identity theft associated with government accounts such as Centrelink, Medicare, or Child Support, contact the Services Australia scams and identity helpdesk on 1800 941 126 or visit their website.
  
  
• You can also contact IDCare, a not-for-profit organisation providing support to those experiencing identity and cyber security concerns.
  
  
• Contact your bank immediately if you have shared personal or financial information.
  
  
• If you’re an ANZ customer, you can report fraud or suspicious activity in multiple ways, such as through the ANZ app or by calling us