Online 'tricks' can haunt anyone. Here's some safety 'treats'!
Halloween brings all kinds of spooky thrills, but there's no lack of scary things online. Mean spirits, frightening scams and online trolls use tactics designed to fool and humiliate people of all ages; families, seniors and students. This Halloween, arm yourselves with online "'spidey senses" that works for all ages. Here's my ghoulish take on the ways scammers try to spook everyone—and how you can keep yourself (and those you care about) safe.
1. The Mummy Trap: Resurrected Accounts
Scammers love to dig up old, forgotten accounts, hoping they’ll be easy to hack. Seniors are especially vulnerable with old social media or email accounts they’ve stopped using, but kids and parents are often targeted too! Forgotten accounts can expose personal information and even open doors to other accounts if passwords are reused.
Avoid the Trap:
Help Seniors & Kids Identify Old Accounts: Go through old accounts together, and shut down anything no longer in use.
Keep Current Accounts Secure: Use unique passwords, and consider a password manager for both seniors and parents to keep track of active accounts.
2. Phantom Friends: Friend Requests from Strangers
It’s a classic trick: a random friend request from a “friendly stranger” who seems interested in connecting. While seniors may be lured by these “phantom friends” for fake conversations, kids and teens often get friend requests that lead them to scammy sites or suspicious links.
Avoid the Phantom Fiasco:
For Seniors: Only accept friend requests from people you recognize. If you’re unsure, ask a family member to help verify the profile.
For Parents and Teachers: Talk to kids about why they should avoid accepting requests from strangers, even if they seem friendly.
Red Flags for Everyone: Profiles with only a few photos, limited posts, or vague information are usually not what they seem.
3. The ‘Family Distress Ghoul’ Scheme: Fake Emergencies
Scammers often prey on grandparents by impersonating a family member in need. But increasingly, they’re trying to trick kids and teens, too, claiming to be “friends” who need help or money. The messages are designed to cause panic, so people act fast without thinking.
Scare Them Off:
For Seniors: If you get a distress call from a “grandchild” or “relative,” hang up and call them back directly to verify.
For Kids: If someone online asks for money or claims to be a friend in trouble, tell a trusted adult before taking any action.
Safety Code for Families: Set up a family “code word” that can confirm if someone’s identity is real, helping seniors and kids know when someone is really in trouble—or just a scammer in disguise.
4. Zombie Subscriptions: They Keep Coming Back!
Ever spot a mysterious subscription charge that you thought you canceled? Zombie subscriptions keep charging long after you try to end them, and they’re a sneaky way scammers can drain money from unsuspecting seniors, parents, and even teachers’ school or personal accounts.
Defeat the Zombies:
For Seniors and Parents: Go through bank statements and credit card bills each month to make sure there are no unwanted charges.
Cancel What’s Not Needed: Assist loved ones in canceling forgotten subscriptions and consider setting up email alerts for any new charges that seem unexpected.
5. Fake News & Deepfakes: Misinformation That Misleads
From fake news to deepfakes, today’s digital world is full of illusions that seem real. Seniors may be more likely to trust the sources they see. Parents and teachers are critical allies in helping everyone avoid these spooky traps.
Tame the Misinformation Beast:
For Seniors: Encourage fact-checking. Use tools like Snopes or FactCheck.org to verify news stories.
For Teachers & Parents: Educate kids on how to think critically about what they read and see online. Look for reputable news sources and always double-check before sharing.
6. The Vampire Virus: Malicious Software
Viruses, malware, and phishing scams are like digital vampires, silently draining data from a device. Seniors and kids may accidentally download these from fake email links, and even teachers have been targeted by phishing scams disguised as “urgent school notices.”
Garlic for Your Devices:
Stay Protected with Antivirus Software: Ensure all devices have up-to-date antivirus software. It’s like a digital garlic necklace for your gadgets!
Think Before You Click: Teach kids and seniors alike to avoid clicking on unknown links or pop-up ads. For teachers, stay cautious of unexpected “official” emails that ask for login details.
How SafeOnline Keeps Seniors, Kids, and Teachers Safe from Online Tricks
Whether it’s Halloween or just another Tuesday, SafeOnline has resources to keep seniors, parents, and families safe year-round. We offer interactive workshops and tech-coaching for everyone involved, making cyber-safety fun, accessible, and easy to follow.
Our Solutions Include:
Seniors Cyber Safety Workshops: Fun, hands-on learning sessions that teach seniors how to recognize scams and stay safe.
Adult Children Support: “Scam-Proof Your Parents” sessions help families protect their elders and seniors.
Parenting Strategies for Online Safety: A caregiver workshop to manage children and youth screen time.
School Wide Solutions: Learn more about our wrap around educational presentations.
This Halloween, Let’s Stick to Treats – No Tricks!
Halloween scares should be limited to costumes and ghost stories—not online attacks. With SafeOnline, you can help seniors, parents, teachers, and kids all stay safe online, keeping the digital “boogeymen” at bay.
Ready to keep your family and community cyber-safe? Visit SafeOnline for more info, and have a fun, fright-free Halloween!