Experts say that with the continuous development of digital technology, the elderly face particularly high risks of scams’ goals.
Tom Kamber, founder and executive director of the National Nonprofit Elderly Technology Service (OATS), said it is important for older people to balance enjoying the advantages of the Internet and staying safe.
“Now, everyone has to use the internet for many basic activities,” New York-based Cumber said in an interview with Fox News Digital.
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Experts share some major obstacles and threaten older people to face in terms of technology.
The nonprofit’s senior technology service is expected to train “thousands of people” on digital security through a new program with Verizon. (iStock)
Scams and frauds
Kamber said the number one digital risk for older people is scams and fraud.
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“Growing up these days, you have a goal on your back because people are trying to target these scams at the elderly,” the expert warned.
Kamber noted that many older people have cheated money through AI Deep Fakes or AI Deep Fakes on the phone, which can be difficult to distinguish without proper understanding.
One expert advises seniors to develop skills to achieve password protection and learn how to identify deep fakes. (iStock)
“It’s very unfair, it’s really a challenge, but the elderly are five times more likely to lose money in a scam than young people.”
According to Kamber, checking websites and email addresses to ensure they are trusted and reputable can help avoid scams like phishing.
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In a separate interview with Fox News Digital, Licensed social worker and senior physician Macie Smith advises seniors not to answer any calls that may come from “spam callers” or “unknown callers.”
“It's very likely that you didn't share your phone number with you and you didn't allow them to call you,” said South Carolina-based expert.
Experts warn that AI voice cloning can produce a phone that sounds like a loved one. (iStock)
“Don’t click on any links that people you are not familiar with on social media via email, text, or send to you.”
If someone receives an atypical message from a contact on social media, it is possible for the scammer to copy the sender’s profile, so Smith recommends picking up the phone and calling the individual to confirm.
AI-driven threats
Cambber warns that while AI-generated content on social media, including fake photos and videos, is another “universal” problem for some older people, although artificial intelligence can be baked into phone scams.
“So there are a lot of challenges right now, so there is access to really reliable information,” he said. “You can still identify certain characteristics of the presentation, which will give you some understanding of the problem.”
Kaber warns that if it looks “too good” on the internet, then it may have more. (iStock)
Kamber encourages older people to build their own “social common sense” and “street wisdom” and apply it to online behavior.
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“Common sense may be one of the bigger assets for older people to learn to browse this new world,” he added.
Overcome obstacles
To protect themselves from potential threats, Kamber recommends that older people have open conversations with their family and friends that they can serve as a resource for technology-related issues.
To protect themselves from potential threats, older people should seek guidance from family and friends on technology-related issues. (iStock)
“We are all going to talk about what is real and what is real over the next 50 years,” he said. “We need to constantly develop … our help support channels so that we can be more resilient.”
Smith advises seniors to share their login information with a trusted, tech-savvy person.
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“If there is a question or question, the person can help you determine the credibility of the information and the source,” she said.
It is important that older people do not restrict activity in the “current digital landscape”, Smith added.
“It is very important for all of us to keep up to date with digital hygiene,” one expert said. (iStock)
“Some of the things they rely on, like Social Security benefits, must be managed online,” she said.
Experts point out that social media can also help fight loneliness and isolation among older people.
“The elderly are five times more likely to lose money in a scam than the younger ones.”
“We want to provide as many safeguards as possible to reduce or eliminate the risk of being deceived while continuing to ensure they are involved in society.”
Teach digital health
The oats shared by Kamber offer free technology and training programs for Americans over 50. The organization recently joined its digital health program with Verizon.
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Oatmeal will offer free digital health courses in Verizon stores and premium centers, focusing on helping people gain the benefits of technology while using it safer and more efficiently.
“It encourages us to balance potential risks and learn how to mitigate them,” Kaber said.
Experts suggest that older people should be encouraged to learn how devices work, rather than being intimidated by the digital world. (iStock)
Donna Epps, chief business officer at Verizon, highlighted the need for digital literacy training for seniors.
“AI voice clones – you might get a call that sounds like a loved one who is in trouble and seeks money – it's a common new scam from online criminals,” an expert in Washington, D.C. said in an interview with Fox News Digital.
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“It’s important for all of us to really understand what good digital hygiene is – what are these strategies and what do we need to pay attention to?”
