Staying safe online

Signs of a scam

• Pressure. It says you must act right now, or something bad will happen.
• A strange way to pay. Anyone who asks for gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency is almost certainly a scammer.
• A request for secrets. Real banks and companies do not ask you to read out a one-time code, a password or a PIN.
• A prize you did not enter for. Winning something you never tried to win is a warning sign.
• Someone pretending. Callers and messages can claim to be your bank, a government office, a company or a family member in trouble. The name on the screen can be faked.
• A surprise link or attachment. Be careful with links in texts and email you did not expect, even from a name you know.

Habits that protect you

• Stop and check. If a message worries you, hang up or close it. Then call the organization back using a number you look up yourself.
• Keep codes private. Never share a one-time code, even with someone who sounds friendly and official.
• Use strong, different passwords. A password manager can remember them for you, and your screen reader can work with many of them.
• Turn on two-step sign-in. It adds a second check when you sign in to important accounts such as email and banking.
• Keep your device up to date. Updates fix security problems.
• Ask a trusted person. It is always fine to say, “Let me think about it and call you back.”

If something goes wrong

1. Stop talking to the person and do not send any more money or information.
2. Call your bank or card company using the number on your card, and tell them what happened.
3. Change the passwords for any account you shared, starting with email and banking.
4. Report it. In the United States you can report fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and get a recovery plan for identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov.
5. Tell someone you trust. Scams work best when people feel embarrassed and stay quiet.

Learn more

• AARP: scams and fraud, with alerts and prevention tips.
• ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the Federal Trade Commission’s place to report scams.
• Our older adults and accessible technology programs include safety practice with real examples.