How to Protect Loved Ones from Online Scams

🔍 What Loved Ones Should Look Out For:

1. Unusual Financial Activity

• Sudden large withdrawals or transfers.

• Multiple small transactions that add up.

• Unexplained charges for software, tech support, or cryptocurrency.

• Unfamiliar recurring charges on credit cards or bank accounts.

2. Changes in Behavior

• Becoming secretive or defensive about finances or computer use.

• Increased anxiety, stress, or confusion — especially after being on the phone or computer.

• Talking about a “new friend” or “tech support person” they trust or owe money to.

• Saying they’ve won something or are involved in a new online investment.

• Fear that something bad will happen if they don’t act fast (common with phishing or ransomware scams).

3. New Tech Habits or Tools

• Installation of remote-access software like AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or LogMeIn (often used by scammers).

• Receiving many spam calls, emails, or pop-up warnings claiming their device is infected.

• Suddenly changing passwords or locking devices with unknown credentials.

4. Unfamiliar Contacts

• Being contacted frequently by someone claiming to be from the CRA, Microsoft, Amazon, a bank, or a courier.

• Unsolicited tech support calls or emails, often asking for remote access or payment in gift cards or crypto.

📊 Who’s Most at Risk?

• Older adults (60+) are statistically the most targeted and often most affected due to lower familiarity with evolving tech threats and social isolation.

• However, younger adults (18–35) are also falling victim more often, particularly to:

  • Phishing and fake investment scams

  • Online dating and crypto scams

In fact, some reports (like from the FTC and Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre) show that while older adults may lose more money per incident, younger adults are scammed more often — especially online.

✅ How to Protect a Loved One:

• Talk openly and without judgment about online risks.

• Review banking and credit card statements together.

• Install antivirus software and enable security protections (e.g., Bitdefender, browser pop-up blockers).

• Use a password manager and enable 2FA (two-factor authentication).

• Check the device for remote access programs and remove any that seem suspicious.

• Remind them: No legitimate company will ask for remote access or payment via gift cards.