When my grandad was in his 90's he was targeted by scammers on multiple occasions and one time when they called him in the winter threatening to turn off his electric because of supposedly unpaid bills he even gave them his card details and sensitive information. This made my blood boil and my career in security has hardened me to todays more advanced scamming techniques. I want to share some basic, actionable personal security information with you today that even if it adverts one person being scammed will be time worth spent writing. This article is primarily directed at our more experienced audience, but if you have a parent or grandparent or elderly friend and are concerned about their security or safety here are some simple and practical tips to help better protect them at home and out and about. Feel free to share it with them as well.
1. Enhance Home Security
Making the home a safe place is essential. Here are a few ways to cost-effectively improve home security for seniors:
Install security cameras: These can deter burglars and help keep an eye on the property. Estimated cost: £100-£300 per camera. Timeframe: 1-2 days.
Use smart locks: These allow you to lock and unlock doors remotely, adding an extra layer of protection for elderly people. Estimated cost: £100-£200 per lock. Timeframe: 1 day.
Reinforce doors and windows: Secure all entry points with strong locks and shatterproof glass to prevent break-ins. Estimated cost: £200-£500 per door/window. Timeframe: 2-3 days.
2. Invest in Safety Gadgets
Modern technology can offer many safety solutions for seniors. Here are a few must-haves:
Medical alert systems: These allow seniors to call for help at the press of a button. Estimated cost: £20-£30 per month subscription. Timeframe: 1 day.
Motion sensor lights: Install these around the home to prevent falls and scare off intruders. Estimated cost: £20-£50 per light. Timeframe: 1 day.
Smart home devices: Automated systems that control lights, temperature, and security can make life safer and more comfortable. Estimated cost: £50-£200 per device. Timeframe: 1-2 days.
3. Establish a Routine for Check-ins
Regular check-ins help ensure the well-being of older adults. Here are some ways to keep in touch:
Daily phone calls: A quick call each day can provide reassurance and check on their health. Cost: Free. Timeframe: Ongoing.
Scheduled visits: Regular visits allow you to see if there are any issues that need addressing. Cost: Travel expenses if applicable. Timeframe: Ongoing.
Neighbourly support: Encourage neighbours to keep an eye out and report anything unusual. Cost: Free. Timeframe: Ongoing.
4. Educate on Scam Awareness
Older adults are often targets for scams. Here are some ways to protect them:
Identify phishing scams: Teach them to recognise suspicious emails and phone calls. Federal Trade Commission offer a scam alert service to keep you up to date here is the link: https://consumer.ftc.gov/scams Cost: Free. Timeframe: 1-2 hours.
Avoid sharing personal information: Remind them to keep personal details private. Cost: Free. Timeframe: Ongoing.
Monitor financial accounts: Regularly check bank statements for any strange transactions. Cost: Free. Timeframe: Ongoing.
5. Plan for Emergencies
Here’s what you can do for emergency planning:
Create an emergency contact list: Include family, doctors, and local services. Cost: Free. Timeframe: 1 day.
Develop an evacuation plan: Make sure there’s a clear route out of the home in case of an emergency. Cost: Free. Timeframe: 1-2 hours.
Stock emergency supplies: Keep essentials like water, non-perishable food, medications, and first-aid kits on hand. Estimated cost: £50-£100. Timeframe: 1 day.
6. Encourage Social Connections
Staying connected helps prevent loneliness and keeps seniors safer by having a local social circle. Here’s how:
Join community groups: Local clubs or senior centres offer great social opportunities. Cost: Variable (membership fees). Timeframe: Ongoing.
Use technology: Video calls and social media can help maintain connections. Cost: Free to low cost (internet access). Timeframe: Ongoing.
Volunteer: Getting involved in volunteer work can provide a sense of purpose. Cost: Free. Timeframe: Ongoing.
7. Secure Personal Information
Protecting personal information can prevent identity theft. Here are some tips:
Shred important documents: Safely dispose of sensitive papers. Estimated cost: £30-£100 for a shredder. Timeframe: Ongoing.
Use strong passwords: Implement robust passwords for online accounts. Cost: Free. Timeframe: Ongoing.
Monitor credit reports: Check regularly for any unusual activity. Cost: Free to low cost. Timeframe: Ongoing.
8. Utilise Professional Services
Sometimes, professional help is needed. Here’s how to get it:
Hire home security services: Professional services can provide advanced security systems and monitoring. Estimated cost: £20-£50 per month. Timeframe: Ongoing.
Consult with healthcare providers: Regular medical check-ups can catch health issues early. Cost: Variable (depending on healthcare plan). Timeframe: Ongoing.
Engage with elder care advisors: Professionals can offer tailored advice and resources for senior citizen protection. Cost: Variable. Timeframe: Ongoing.
Here are some additional security tips that can enhance the elderly's security and protect themselves from various scams and threats.
Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Transactions:
Tip: Encourage seniors to avoid using public Wi-Fi networks for banking, shopping, or other sensitive transactions. Public Wi-Fi can be easily hacked, and personal information can be stolen.
Recommendation: Use a virtual private network (VPN) to secure internet connections on public networks.
Regularly Update Software and Devices:
Tip: Ensure that all software, including operating systems and apps, is up to date. Updates often contain important security patches that protect against new threats.
Recommendation: Enable automatic updates to keep devices secure without having to remember to update manually.
Be Wary of Unsolicited Visitors:
Tip: Advise elderly individuals to be cautious of unexpected visitors claiming to be from utility companies or other services. Scammers may use this tactic to gain entry into the home.
Recommendation: Verify the identity of visitors by calling the company they claim to represent before letting them in.
Use Caller ID and Block Unknown Numbers:
Tip: Use caller ID to screen calls and avoid answering calls from unknown or suspicious numbers. Blocking unknown numbers can prevent scam calls from reaching them.
Recommendation: Register phone numbers with the national do-not-call list to reduce telemarketing calls.
Set Up Online Banking Alerts:
Tip: Set up banking alerts to receive notifications of any unusual activity on their accounts. This helps in quickly detecting and responding to potential fraud.
Recommendation: Most banks offer text or email alerts for transactions over a certain amount or for any account changes.
Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
Tip: Enable 2FA on all important accounts, such as email and banking accounts. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification.
Recommendation: Use an authentication app or receive codes via SMS for better security.
Educate on Social Media Privacy:
Tip: Advise elderly individuals on how to adjust privacy settings on social media to limit who can see their information. Scammers often use social media to gather information.
Recommendation: Regularly review and update privacy settings on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
Backup Important Data:
Tip: Regularly back up important data, such as family photos and important documents, to an external hard drive or cloud service. This ensures data is safe in case of ransomware attacks or hardware failure.
Recommendation: Use reputable cloud services with strong security measures for backups.
Stay Informed About Common Scams:
Tip: Keep updated on the latest scams targeting elderly people, such as lottery scams, charity scams, and tech support scams. Knowledge is a powerful defence.
Recommendation: Sign up for scam alerts like the ones from Which? https://act.which.co.uk/page/103781/data/1?locale=en-GB
Secure Wi-Fi Networks:
Tip: Ensure home Wi-Fi networks are secured with a strong password and encryption. Avoid using default passwords provided by the router.
Recommendation: Change Wi-Fi passwords regularly and use WPA3 encryption if available on the router
Remember, protective measures for seniors involve proactive steps and continuous vigilance. The combination of technology, education, and community support can make a significant difference in the safety and well-being of older adults.
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