By Lewis Lang
Every day we hear about people being scammed while using technology. Whether we read about it in an AARP article, see it on the news, or hear from a friend or an acquaintance who has fallen victim, it is a problem to be aware of. However, it need not make you reluctant or fearful about using your devices to communicate with friends and family, or to use the internet for work or fun.
By far the most dangerous thing we do is drive. Instead of leaving our vehicle in the garage, we take sensible precautions to avoid road hazards. The same mindset applies to using computers, tablets, and smartphones. There are a few basic precautions everyone should take.
As with defensive driving, “defensive technology use” means slowing down, watching for warning signs, not letting anyone rush you, and pulling over and asking for help when you need it. The good thing is that on the internet, no one can honk.
Below are some common scams targeting seniors, along with simple steps you can take to avoid them. The most important thing to remember in each of the situations below is to resist feeling pressured or forced to do anything. The most crucial thing to remember is that you can always hang up your phone or unplug your computer and call a spouse, friend, family member, or caregiver. Talk to anyone other than the stranger on the phone trying to pressure you or convince you that your computer is crashing or that you need to send them money.
- Phishing Emails and Messages:
Scammers often send emails or texts pretending to be from a trusted company, like your bank, Google, or Apple. They might claim there’s an issue with your account or that you are running out of storage and urgently need to pay before you run out of space.
Another typical message refers to a suspicious payment you recently made and the need to confirm that it was legitimate. The scammer is “fishing” for someone they can scare into giving them money or personal information.
The key word here is “urgent.” The scammer will urge you to click a link or provide personal information and then ask for a credit card number. Always be cautious with unexpected messages, and when in doubt, contact your bank or service provider directly with a phone number you know. Do not call any number that appears in the message in your email or text message.
- Tech Support Scams:
You receive a call (or a window opens on your computer) from someone claiming to be tech support from Microsoft, Apple, or some other technology/computer company, saying they have detected a virus or other problem on your computer. They willl ask you to give them access to your computer by downloading and installing a program. This is always a red flag.
The program they install will then cause multiple problems on your computer and could lock it completely. Then they will ask you to pay for them to “fix” the problems they have caused! There was actually nothing wrong with your device. They have sabotaged your device to extort you.
Legitimate companies do not call you unexpectedly about a problem that you didn’t report. If necessary, turn off your device or hang up the phone. Don’t feel like you need to be polite. Afterward, if you have any doubts about your device, call someone you trust. The important thing is that you are making your own decision about who to call.
- Fake Tolls:
This is a relatively new scam, and of course, if you live in New Mexico, you know there are no toll roads in our state. The message will claim you owe a toll. It will seem very authentic and official. You will be directed to a fake payment site on the internet where you will be required to enter your credit card information to pay the “toll.” Or, you may be asked to call a number and give your payment information over the phone. If you have taken a toll road in one of our neighboring states, you will receive a bill in the mail based on your car registration information. You will never be called, texted, or emailed a bill.
- Grandparent or Emergency Scams:
This is one of the most stressful scams that people experience. You receive a call or message from someone pretending to be a family member or friend in urgent need of money. The voice may sound vaguely like someone you know, but it is either a scammer or a computer-generated voice. The person may say they are in jail, in an emergency room, and/or outside the United States, etc. They will say they are in trouble and beg you to send money immediately. They will tell you not to ask questions and not to tell anyone else what is happening. This is because the situation is not real. The goal is to make you panic and follow their instructions to send money.
Ask them to give you the name and phone number of the place where they are being held or treated and hang up the phone. Remember that this is a scam. When people are in trouble, they call for emotional support. They don’t ask for money. If you feel concerned or anxious, call a trusted friend or family member and tell them what happened.
- Romance or Relationship Scams:
In this scam, someone contacts you by text message, email, social media (such as Facebook), or a dating website and slowly builds what feels like a genuine friendship or romantic relationship. The person may seem kind, attentive, patient, and loving, and may communicate with you for weeks or even months. These scams often take time, and falling for them does not mean you were careless; it means someone was deliberately manipulating your trust. Eventually, a crisis appears, and they ask you for money—for a medical emergency, travel expenses, a business opportunity, or plane tickets to finally come visit you. They may promise to pay you back or say you are the only person they trust. The relationship is not real. Being asked for money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency by someone you have never met in person is a serious red flag. A healthy relationship does not involve secrecy or financial pressure. If someone you only know online asks you for money, it is a scam.
- Gift Card and Cryptocurrency Scams:
You will be asked for some nonsensical reason to drive to a local store and buy gift cards for a certain amount of money. The scammer will then ask you to pay those gift cards to them over the computer or phone.
A new variation on this theme is for the scammer to ask you to withdraw money from your bank or ATM and then deposit that money into a “Bitcoin Machine” (similar to an ATM) at a local convenience store or other location. No business or government agency will ever ask you to pay them by buying gift cards or depositing money into a Bitcoin machine. If someone asks you to do this, it’s a scam. Never go out and buy gift cards or use cryptocurrency (like Bitcoin) because someone tells you to.
In summary, defensive technology use means: PAUSE
P — Pause before you click or respond. If something seems urgent or stressful, stop and take a breath.
A — Assume not everyone on the internet is who they say they are. Scammers rely on false trust and familiarity.
U — Urgency is a red flag. Never let anyone rush or pressure you into a decision.
S — Stop and shut it down. Hang up the phone or turn off your computer if something doesn’t feel right.
E — Engage someone you trust. Talk to a friend, family member, or caregiver. Don’t feel embarrassed to reach out.
Technology and the internet are great tools for staying connected and having fun. With a few simple precautions, we can all stay safe using them defensively.
