A Guide for Seniors: Staying Safe Online
Simple, practical tips to help seniors recognize scams and protect their personal information online.
For family members: Share this guide with your senior loved ones, or better yet, read it together. If they need help securing their devices, call us at (613) 455-6364 for personalized support.
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Simple, large-print guide perfect for keeping near your computer. Great for sharing with senior loved ones!
View & Print PosterThe internet can be a wonderful tool for staying connected with family, managing finances, and enjoying entertainment. However, scammers specifically target seniors because they often have savings and may be less familiar with digital threats. Here's how to stay protected.
Easy Ways to Spot Scams
1. Unexpected Phone Calls
The Scam: Someone calls claiming to be from Microsoft, the CRA, your bank, or a grandchild in trouble who needs money urgently.
How to Spot It:
- • They create urgency: "Act now or your account will be closed!"
- • They ask for payment via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
- • They ask you to download software or give remote access to your computer
What to Do: Hang up immediately. If you're concerned, call the company back using a number you find yourself (not one they provide). Real companies and government agencies don't call asking for personal information.
2. Suspicious Emails
The Scam: Emails that look like they're from your bank, Amazon, or a friend, but are actually trying to steal your password or credit card.
How to Spot It:
- • Spelling or grammar mistakes
- • Generic greetings like "Dear Customer" instead of your name
- • Links that look suspicious when you hover over them
- • Attachments you weren't expecting
What to Do: Don't click any links or download attachments. Delete the email. If you think it might be real, go to the company's website directly by typing the address yourself (don't use the link in the email).
3. Scary Pop-Up Messages
The Scam: While browsing, a message pops up saying "Your computer is infected!" or "You've won a prize!" with a phone number to call or button to click.
How to Spot It:
- • Flashing warnings or loud alarm sounds
- • Claims that only they can fix the "urgent" problem
- • Looks official but uses scary language
What to Do: Close your browser (don't click the pop-up). If you can't close it, restart your computer. These are fake warnings designed to scare you into calling scammers or downloading malware.
Best Practices for Staying Safe
Use Strong, Unique Passwords
Create passwords that are at least 12 characters long with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Don't use the same password for multiple accounts. Consider writing them in a notebook kept in a safe place at home (not on your computer).
Look for "https://" Before Entering Personal Info
Before entering credit card numbers, passwords, or personal information, check that the website address starts with "https://" (the "s" means secure). There should also be a small padlock icon near the address bar.
Verify Before Sharing Information
Before giving out personal information, social security numbers, or financial details, independently verify who you're talking to. Hang up and call back using a number from your bank statement or the company's official website.
Keep Software Updated
When your computer or phone prompts you to install updates, do it. These updates often include important security fixes. If you're not comfortable doing this yourself, ask a family member or call us for help.
Ask for Help When Unsure
There's no shame in asking for help. If something seems suspicious or you're not sure if an email is real, call a family member, friend, or local tech expert. It's always better to ask than to fall victim to a scam.
Simple Rules to Remember
- 1 If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You didn't win a lottery you didn't enter.
- 2 Legitimate companies never ask for gift cards or wire transfers. That's always a scam.
- 3 Your grandchild's "emergency" can wait. Call them back at their regular number before sending money.
- 4 Slow down. Scammers create urgency to make you act without thinking. Take your time.
- 5 When in doubt, hang up or delete. You can always verify later if it's legitimate.
We're Here to Help
If you or a senior loved one needs help setting up security software, reviewing computer settings, or recovering from a scam, we provide patient, judgment-free support.
- Easy-to-understand explanations without technical jargon
- Security software setup and training
- Computer cleanup if you've clicked something suspicious
- In-home or remote support options available