Scams are estimated to cost older people an average £4k each. (Image: Getty)
More than 559,471 older people over 65 were the victim of crime last year and were 45 times more likely to be victims of than to be mugged.
More than a fifth of respondents told the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) they had been a victim of fraud.
MoneySuperMarket, which analysed the figures, is urging older people to be more vigilant.
Alicia Hempsted, finance expert at , pointed out that the charity had estimated scams cost older people an average of £4,000 each.
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Hempsted said: “It’s alarming to see how people over 65 are being targeted by fraudsters and hackers.”
She said: “Not only does it result in significant financial losses, but it also causes emotional distress for victims.”
With fraudsters – and technology – becoming more sophisticated than ever before, spotting an online scam can be harder than you think.
Hempstead said Moneysupermarket wanted to make sure older people could protect themselves against fraudsters.
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How to stop becoming a victim of fraud
Slow Down:
Don’t rush into clicking links or responding to emails. If something seems suspicious, take your time to verify its authenticity.
Use Strong Passwords:
Create complex passwords that are hard to guess. A good way to make your password difficult to crack is by combining three random words to create a password (for example bicycledogsun).
Avoid the most common passwords that criminals can easily guess (like ‘password’) or using your birthday, your favourite sports team or your pet’s name. Most of these details can be found within your social media profile.
Keep tabs on your finances:
Keep a close eye on your credit report and bank/credit card statements. Sign up for a free credit report tool so you can see all your account balances in one place and be notified when your credit report is updated monthly. This way, you can act quickly if you spot anything of concern.
Install security software:
Ensure that your computer or device has up-to-date antivirus and anti-malware software. Regularly scan your system to detect and remove any malicious programs. Trusted security software adds an extra layer of defence against online threats.
Secure your devices:
Regularly update your WiFi Router, operating system and apps to protect against security vulnerabilities.
Avoid clicking on suspicious links:
Be cautious of unsolicited emails, messages, or pop-up ads containing links to potentially harmful sites.
Avoid clicking on these links, as they could lead you to phishing sites or download malware onto your device. Stick to official websites and use bookmarks to navigate. Remember, shopping links from search engines are not a guarantee of the site’s legitimacy.
Resist the urge to overshare:
Be mindful of the information you share online, especially on social media and unfamiliar websites. Never give debit or credit card numbers, PINs, or other personal information in response to a cold caller, unsolicited email, text or online request.
A genuine bank or organization would never contact you unsolicited and ask for your PIN or full password or to move money into another account.
Just say no:
Never let somebody talk you into downloading software for your device or logging on to your computer or tablet remotely.
Pay on plastic:
Those who are worried about using their credit or debit card online for fear that their details may fall into the wrong hands can use a prepaid credit card.f
A prepaid card allows you to preload it with cash that is not registered to your bank account or home address. Like a pay-as-you-go mobile, if it was used fraudulently, only the money on that card would be at risk.
Ask for help:
If you’re unsure, seek advice from a trusted source or professional. If you think you have been the victim of fraud, you can contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at .