Many of us include the ritual of spring cleaning around this time of year. Spring cleaning is all about tackling the areas you may have neglected during the rest of the year. And nothing is more satisfying than a sparkling clean home, right? But don’t forget about your computer and devices.
Data from the Federal Trade Commission show that more consumers than ever report falling prey to romance scamming, also called “catphishing.” The total reported lost over the past five years has now reached $1.3 billion. How Do They Do It?
Major corporations, government agencies, healthcare organizations, small businesses and private individuals are all being targeted by ransomware. The law enforcement and cybersecurity communities believe many of the cybercriminals behind these attacks are connected to organized crime, anti-US entities or even terrorist groups. It is an ongoing challenge to identify hackers and bring them to justice.
Social media is a great way for all of us to keep in touch with family and friends, and our kūpuna are no exception. The use of social media among senior citizens has been a growing trend. However, social media presents some extra risks for older people.
Now that COVID-19 vaccination is in full swing along with economic relief packages from the federal government, scammers are using phishing emails and texts, bogus social media posts, robocalls, impostor schemes and more to prey on the public.
Becoming a victim of credit card fraud is likely to happen to us all. We may lose our credit card (or debit card) and the finder may make unauthorized purchases. Or somehow, an online fraudster obtained our credit card information and has made unauthorized online purchases.
So what do you do when that happens?
What happens when you pass away or there’s an emergency that leaves you incapacitated, and family members need to access your mobile devices, computers, emails and social media accounts? Have you documented this important information? Here are some tips:
One of the most common problem I encounter investigating a cybercrime is that the reporting person and/or victim fail to provide any records and/or documentation to support their claim that they had been victimized — more so in cases involving online fraud. One of the simplest and quickest methods of documentation is printing out the webpage offer, sale or service.
It may be hard to believe, but even during the coronavirus pandemic, criminals are targeting and preying upon the public via phony websites, bogus emails and text messaging, and by phone.
How do you know that you are the target of a scam? Here are some red flags that you should be aware of…
Before trading in or selling your mobile devices, cellphones or tablets, be sure no sensitive data is left behind that may put you in jeopardy. Here are a few basic steps to reduce the risk of being victimized.
If you want to make a donation, first go online and research the charity. Check the Better Business Bureau or the Federal Trade Commission for any scams or complaints connected to the organization. Scammers attempt to fool you into thinking they are a legitimate, so before donating, verify that the URL and email address are correct.
When purchasing items with a credit or debit card online or over the counter, there are precautions you need to take.
How often do we get and answer calls from telephone numbers of people who we think we know, only to discover it’s a telemarketer or scammer? Here are some prevention tips that may help…
There’s been a marked increase in text messages with a spoofed Caller ID that ask the recipient to click on a hyperlink — that’s always the objective of this type of scam. It is their methodology to hijack your device. Two Major Risks include: The recipient does not know who really sent the message; and the hyperlink may redirect the message recipient to a website where malicious software may compromise the recipient’s cellphone.
To create secure passwords, you generally want to set the minimum password length to at least eight characters, but a minimum length of 14 characters is better.
At the start of a new year, many of us make a New Year’s resolution to get healthy. Did you make a resolution to start the year with a “healthy” computer, too? Here are some computer health tips…
With all the natural disasters happening throughout the world, unscrupulous scammers are looking to take advantage of our empathy and generosity as we seek ways to help the victims of those disasters. These scammers will be soliciting donations using telephone messages, emails, and even social networking services like Facebook.
One of the trending online fraud schemes involves being contacted by either friends or relatives via email or through social networking services like Facebook about receiving large amounts of money through investments, a class action lawsuit, or even a random contest drawing. However, these “friends” or “relatives” are NOT who they claim to be.
Telephone scams have been around for years, even before the birth of the internet, and they are just as dangerous as their online counterparts. Because modern telephone networks use digital technology, it is easy for cybercriminals to manipulate what appears in the Caller ID to trick you into thinking you are receiving a call from a trusted source. This tactic is called “spoofing.”
March 3, 2023
Imagine walking out of your home and seeing a bear! Feeling stressed just thinking about it? Good! These bursts of stress help keep us alive, active, and motivated. The stress of caregiving and modern life doesn't happen in short bursts like with a bear sighting. Caregiving stress is persistent and can damage our mental and physical health.
• Registration (complimentary) is required
• More information is available from The Caregiver Foundation at 808-625-3782 or email to info@thecaregiverfoundation.org
March 3, 2023
Imagine walking out of your home and seeing a bear! Feeling stressed just thinking about it? Good! These bursts of stress help keep us alive, active, and motivated. The stress of caregiving and modern life doesn't happen in short bursts like with a bear sighting. Caregiving stress is persistent and can damage our mental and physical health.
• Registration (complimentary) is required
• More information is available from The Caregiver Foundation at 808-625-3782 or email to info@thecaregiverfoundation.org
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March 13, 2023
Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Hawaii invites you to its 20/23 Web Series on Fraud Prevention: Scam Free in 2023. Learn from Hawaii residents, and local and national experts, including top security officers from American Savings Bank, Bank of Hawaii and First Hawaiian Bank, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit - Hawaii Department of the Attorney General; Better Business Bureau and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Foundation.
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March 15, 2023
You're invited to join host Percy Ihara today for our monthly workshop at the Ala Moana Hotel. Topics include finances, gerontology, legal mistakes, support services, long-term care options, reverse mortgages and many more. Call 808-600-4383 to RSVP. Seating is limited. 8:30am – 4:30pm
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March 23, 2023
Alzheimer's disease and other dementias gradually diminish a person's ability to communicate. Communication with a person with Alzheimer's requires patience, understanding and good listening skills. The strategies that will be explored can help both you and the person with dementia understand each other better.
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April 10, 2023
Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Hawaii invites you to its 20/23 Web Series on Fraud Prevention: Scam Free in 2023. Learn from Hawaii residents, and local and national experts, including top security officers from American Savings Bank, Bank of Hawaii and First Hawaiian Bank, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit - Hawaii Department of the Attorney General; Better Business Bureau and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Foundation.
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April 19, 2023
You're invited to join host Percy Ihara today for our monthly workshop at the Ala Moana Hotel. Topics include finances, gerontology, legal mistakes, support services, long-term care options, reverse mortgages and many more. Call 808-600-4383 to RSVP. Seating is limited. 8:30am – 4:30pm