Australians aged over 55 to 64 were the worst hit, when it came to losses while the over-65’s lodged the most reports to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) according to its latest scams report.
On average, people were losing $6,500 each – not a small amount.
So how you can protect yourself when these scams are becoming more sophisticated and hard to spot?
Staying safe online
Be Connected is a free Government initiative to help older people who want to get online and stay safe.
The site has a section here that covers:
- creating safe passwords;
- paying safely online;
- avoiding scams and tricks; and
- downloading and saving documents.
You can also find search for community organisations in your area that offer in-person training here.
The ACCC’s Scamwatch also has some great advice on common scams targeting older people and dealing with potential door-to-door scams here.
Educating yourself – and your family members – is the best way to ensure we all stay safe.
