While people of all ages get scammed online, older people are more likely to fall for the tricks than younger people. But who gets scammed more also depends on the characteristics of each age group. Each one has unique traits that guide their reactions to online scammers.
While older people could get scammed by many online tricks, the younger generation also encounter scams where they are ripped off more easily. But seniors, without a doubt, stand no chance in this competition. Why? Let’s find out together.
Explanations Why Older People Fall for Scams More Than the Younger Generation
There are plenty of reasons why older people are at a higher risk of getting scammed by online fraudsters compared to the younger generation. Below are the top eight explanations of why it happens.
1. Limited Understanding of the Changing Technology
Compared to Gen Z, let’s say, Baby Boomers are not well-versed with changing technology and how it could affect their lives. That increases their exposure to scams. Their inability to differentiate between safe and unsafe online communications makes it easier for fraudsters to trick them.
The younger generation, on the other hand, is well aware of ways that could help them recognize fraudulent online interactions, while older people still have a lot to learn.
2. Diminished Cognition
Age comes with cognitive impairment, and scammers know this. Many fraudulent individuals seek data from magazine subscriptions, lotteries, or public records to identify older people. They then start calling their victims and providing them with fake information that leads to financial loss or data theft.
Addressing this problem may require two leading solutions, including strengthening personal data protection. The older adult may also contact a trusted friend or family member to guide them on financial decisions and online information sharing.
3. Loneliness and Isolation
Many older people get isolated and lonely as children grow up and leave their parents’ houses. That exposes them to scammers who will appear pleasant and friendly when engaging them on the phone. Scammers are clever and practice what to say and how to manipulate their victims.
Older people are even more likely to fall for such scams if they are not closely monitored. That’s why it’s important to constantly check on older people, especially those living alone, to keep them company.
4. Financial Insecurity
Many seniors have financial challenges, so they are uniquely attracted to quick investments that would pay back fast. When people feel their financial stability is threatened and they will most likely miss out on their goals, they panic and make risky choices. Online fraudsters capitalize on these fears.
Unfortunately, after seniors give away their money or credit card details, they are left on read and ignored. Seniors who live alone and have no children to protect them will bear even worse consequences, as there’s no one to save them.
5. Cultural Differences
There is a noticeable cultural difference between younger and older generations. We are all born in different times, and the society we grow up in determines how we view others. The younger generation is accustomed to the present world and its flaws. That keeps them alert to the risks that come with technological growth.
On their part, older people grew up during times when people seemed to value honesty. The result of these cultural differences is that seniors are more trusting of people than the younger generation.
6. Wealth and Investments
With age, people get wealthier due to savings, experiences, and investments. Online scammers will target individuals with huge investments or lots of money. They bombard seniors with different tricks so often that it’s hard not to become a victim at some point.
7. Limited Access to Scam-Preventative Knowledge
The younger generation largely depends on social media, while older people concentrate on information coming from mainstream media. Getting information from the former is way faster than from the latter. Besides, social media platforms allow people to post and share content, making it easier to know potential societal threats. That’s unlike news on TV, radio, and print media.
With fewer older people being active on social media platforms, it’s almost guaranteed that they will likely fall for online scams.
8. Weak Passwords
Older people set weak passwords that can easily be guessed, giving potential hackers an easy time gaining access to their accounts. Hackers are intelligent people and can quickly identify the things seniors like, which they will associate with their passwords.
The younger generation, on the other hand, usually tends to create unique passwords for their online and banking accounts, which is a huge benefit in today’s technology-driven world.
How Older People Could Avoid Getting Scammed
While con artists have perfected their scamming strategies, there is still a chance older people could avoid getting ripped off. Here are some tips to help seniors avoid becoming victims.
Installing security apps
One of the first things to do is to install security apps on all devices, including laptops, phones, computers, and other gadgets. These apps include antivirus software, password manager, and VPN.
Avoiding sharing personal information: Keeping personal data away from unknown individuals is an effective method to safeguard it. This data includes social security numbers, login credentials, credit status, and driver's license numbers, among other things.
Setting unique passwords and PINs
Making sure a person’s password or PIN can’t easily be guessed prevents criminals from accessing personal information.
Running background checks on people
Trusting just anyone is a huge mistake. Seniors must know who’s contacting them, and running background checks is one of the most effective ways for this.
Asking for help
There is nothing wrong with having a trusted individual to help identify potential scams. Such people could be family members or close friends.
Final Thoughts
We are all prone to scams, but older people are more likely to fall for them than younger generations. Limited understanding of the changing technology, diminished cognition, isolation and loneliness, narrow access to knowledge, cultural differences, financial insecurity, weak passwords, and wealth and investments are key reasons why older people fall for scams faster than those younger than them.