AARP Alerts & Articles
AARP is a respected sources of information for Seniors. Listed below are links to articles we hope you find interesting.
7 Early Warning Signs of Dementia You Shouldn't Ignore
Click on this link above to read this article.
Is It Normal Memory Loss or Early Dementia?
Click on this link above to read this article.
Study Ranks the Best and Worst Materials for Face Masks
Click on this link above to read this article.
8-Smartphone Safety Apps That Could Save Your Life
Click on this link above to read the reviews of these potential lifesaving Apps.
Scams & Fraud - This link takes you to the AARP website page which offers numerous informative articles. An example is shown below.
Tech Scammers Know You Are Home … and Online
Two things have been certain during this pandemic: People have been home more than ever, and they’ve been using technology more than ever to stay connected to the outside world. Scammers are keyed into these facts and are taking advantage. It’s the classic tech-support scam, and it is running rampant right now.
How It Works
-
You receive a phone call from what appears to be Microsoft or another big tech company, claiming they detected a virus on your device that requires your immediate attention.
-
Or you sit down to your device to find a pop-up message warning that your device is infected, and you need to call the number in the message or click a link right away.
-
A “technician” explains the severity of the issue, requests remote access to your device and then shows you “the problem.”
-
The “technician” can fix your problem for a fee, and then may offer you a monthly subscription to keep your device safe.
-
The “technician” often calls back months later, offers you a refund and asks for your bank account information to deposit the money.
What You Should Know
-
Big tech companies say they don’t call customers to warn of problems on their devices.
-
The supposedly problematic files the “technician” shows you on your device are completely benign.
-
The scammer may ask you to pay by credit card or may direct you to purchase a gift or reloadable card and provide the account number and PIN (this is always a red flag).
-
The “technician” may install malware on your device while they have access to harvest usernames and passwords to exploit your accounts.
What You Should Do
-
Screen phone calls with an answering machine or voicemail, and once you listen to the message, decide if it warrants a callback.
-
If the caller claims you have a problem with your device, don’t believe it.
-
If you think your device is infected, get it checked out by a reputable source; most big-box electronics retailers offer tech-support services.
-
If you get a pop-up that freezes your screen, shut down your computer and restart it to make it go away.
-
If you realize you’ve fallen victim to this scam and paid by credit card, contact your financial institution to dispute the charge and cancel any monthly fees you may have agreed to.
When it comes to fraud, vigilance is our number one weapon. You have the power to protect yourself and your loved ones from scams. Please share this alert with friends and family and visit the Fraud Watch Network.
That Too-Good-To-Be-True Quote from the Contractor…Probably Is
It’s not uncommon for dubious contractors to come knocking on homeowner’s doors. And while some legitimate businesses still go door-to-door, many of these “fix-it” folks are anything but — and actually do damage to your pocketbook. With many of us at home due to the pandemic, and with summer storms on the horizon, those knocks on the door are likely to heat up.
How It Works
-
Scammers look for opportunity – like the passing of a bad storm that causes damage – to solicit “business” door-to-door.
-
They will also take advantage of times, like now, when they expect many people to be home.
-
They’ll often say that they were “already working in the area” or claim to have “extra materials” they can use on a project for you.
-
They will claim that today’s rate will not be the same tomorrow.
-
They will ask for payment up front.
What You Should Know
-
Scam contractors use pressure tactics – like saying you have to commit right now for the great pricing – to get you to act before you have time to think through your options.
-
If your house has been damaged by a storm or natural disaster, scammers may try to convince you to sign over the payment from your insurance company, or, otherwise, pay upfront in cash.
What You Should Do
-
Take a pause and consider your options.
-
Always get two or three bids (and insist on references) and compare them before agreeing to any work.
-
Get a written contract.
-
Expect to make an upfront deposit — but typically no more than a third of the total estimate — and use a credit card, check or arrange financing.
When it comes to fraud, vigilance is our number one weapon. You have the power to protect yourself and your loved ones from scams. Please share this alert with friends and family and visit the Fraud Watch Network.
Public Wi-Fi is convenient for you … and for scammers
There’s nothing not to like about free public Wi-Fi. That is, if you don’t mind giving scammers easy access to all of your data.
How It Works
• Scammers can set up an “evil twin” network — a Wi-Fi network that looks like the one you are expecting to use — hoping you’ll connect to it.
• Scammers can also set up a “man in the middle” attack to get between you and the Wi-Fi access point, in order to intercept your data. Once in, they look to steal passwords and other sensitive information from your device.
• They also set up fake Wi-Fi access points that require a credit card for you to connect to them. They then steal your credit card information.
What You Should Know
• Public Wi-Fi networks are not secure if they don’t require a password to connect to them.
• It’s safer to use your service provider’s network rather than public Wi-Fi, even if it means incurring charges.
What You Should Do
• Ask staff for the exact name of their establishment’s public Wi-Fi network. This way, you are sure you are connecting to it and not a look-alike.
• Limit your activity on public Wi-Fi to activities such as browsing news, sports and weather. Avoid doing anything that requires a username and password.
• If you are a frequent public Wi-Fi user, look into signing up for a virtual private network (VPN) to keep your data protected, even on unsecure public Wi-Fi networks.
When it comes to fraud, vigilance is our number one weapon. You have the power to protect yourself and your loved ones from scams. Please share this alert with friends and family and visit the Fraud Watch Network.