Page 25 - Seniors Today -April20

your bank and credit card statements and
never give out personal information over the
phone to someone unknown.
3. Sign up for the ‘do not disturb’ (DND)
and take yourself off multiple mailing lists
by hitting the unsubscribe button from the
unwanted e-mails.
4. Be sceptical of all unsolicited offers. Be
sure if someone is trying to reach you and be
an informed consumer.
5. If you have any doubts, a simple Google
search could do the magic. It would clarify
your concerns instantly; you may want to
Google the name of the organisation the
caller claims to be calling from.

THE GOOD VS THE BAD GUYS:
Unfortunately, the more the good guys refine
the defense mechanism necessary to lock
out fraudsters, the faster the cybercrime
ecosystem evolves the offensive tools. There
is no ‘magic wand’ that will simply banish
fraudsters. The most important thing is to
preempt what fraudsters are thinking and to Don’t get lured by emails that lead you to a site asking for your
stay ahead in this game. credit card information
Before I close, some golden rules that I
IF YOU SUSPECT… expect all of us to follow:
If you think you’ve been scammed, don’t 1. Always assume that anyone cold calling
be afraid or embarrassed to talk about you is a ‘con artist’ at the first place; don’t
it—waiting could only make it worse. Just give them the benefit of the doubt to start
in case you suspect any wrongdoing, don’t with. Let them work hard in earning your
be scared or embarrassed to talk about it trust!
with someone you trust-your friend, family 2. Any unexpected text or e-mail coming
member or anyone else. Remember, someone your way has a purpose of cheating you.
can help, and you are not alone in this. Doing 3. And any investment with a “guaranteed
nothing could be a costly affair and could return” is a “guaranteed way of losing
make things only worse. Keep the phone money”.
numbers handy and resources you can turn Fraud will continue to evolve to evade
to, including the local police, your bank etc. detection. The best way to insulate yourself
Don’t take a chance, just cancel any debit or from fraud is to protect your personal
credit cards linked to the stolen account, if information as best you can. You have got
you suspect and quickly reset your personal to defend yourself. If you’ve fallen prey to a
identification number(s). scam – stay calm and emerge stronger!

SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #10 | APRIL 2020 25