{"id":686,"date":"2020-07-08T23:37:00","date_gmt":"2020-07-08T23:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog-2023\/?p=686"},"modified":"2023-12-04T01:51:36","modified_gmt":"2023-12-04T01:51:36","slug":"pandemic-scams-targeting-senior-citizens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/pandemic-scams-targeting-senior-citizens\/","title":{"rendered":"Pandemic scams targeting senior citizens"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"686\" class=\"elementor elementor-686\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-513120d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"513120d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7a3074f\" data-id=\"7a3074f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5163757 elementor-widget elementor-widget-template\" data-id=\"5163757\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"template.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-template\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"196\" class=\"elementor elementor-196\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-339b45e0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"339b45e0\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3f771e94\" data-id=\"3f771e94\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44435407 elementor-cta--skin-classic elementor-animated-content elementor-bg-transform elementor-bg-transform-zoom-in elementor-widget elementor-widget-call-to-action\" data-id=\"44435407\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"call-to-action.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementor\/css\/custom-pro-widget-call-to-action.min.css?ver=1764022918\">\t\t<a class=\"elementor-cta\" href=\"https:\/\/simplywise.app.link\/Iv0wVANrvfb\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-content-item elementor-cta__content-item elementor-icon-wrapper elementor-cta__icon elementor-view-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-lightbulb\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-cta__title elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">DID YOU KNOW?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__description elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRetirement is 99% easier when your paperwork is organized. \n\nJoin 250,000+ Americans securely storing their important receipts, bills &amp; documents with the SimplyWise app.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__button-wrapper elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-cta__button elementor-button elementor-size-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGet the App\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7ff83f8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7ff83f8\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a4268be\" data-id=\"a4268be\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e0feaca elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e0feaca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.13.3 - 28-05-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>Digital attacks are at an all time high, especially due to the uncertainty today caused by the coronavirus and now the protests across the nation. From <a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/whats-this-charge\/internal-revenue-service\">social security scams<\/a> to data breaches, our personal information is becoming more vulnerable than ever.\u00a0<\/p><p>With the looming economic uncertainty, hackers are increasingly predatory and looking to take advantage of the vulnerable\u2013particularly senior citizens\u2013for their own economic gain. In fact, a recent study from Verizon found that\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.techrepublic.com\/article\/86-of-data-breaches-are-conducted-for-financial-gain\/\">86% of data breaches today occur for financial gains<\/a>\u2013up 15% from last year. They are preying upon vulnerabilities, like the closure of Social Security field offices during the pandemic, as well as the increased numbers of people working from home, on unprotected wireless networks. These hackers\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/how-to-get-your-stimulus-check-faster-stimulus-check-scams\/\">pretend to be government agencies like the Social Security Administration<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/how-to-get-your-stimulus-check-faster-stimulus-check-scams\/\">IRS<\/a>, and use fear-mongering techniques like threatening phishing emails and ransomware.\u00a0<\/p><p>We outline five of the biggest attacks and trends in data security that you need to know this month, and give you the resources you need to protect yourself given today\u2019s uncertainty and heightened cybercrime levels.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-28233c7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"28233c7\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-47150d3\" data-id=\"47150d3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-bc6d86c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"bc6d86c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-d2e931e\" data-id=\"d2e931e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ce0f32 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1ce0f32\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.13.3 - 28-05-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"493\" src=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-19-at-6.39.52-PM.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-689\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-19-at-6.39.52-PM.png 688w, https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-19-at-6.39.52-PM-300x231.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-41bc97b\" data-id=\"41bc97b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1013d7f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1013d7f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>#1 Social Security Scams<\/b><\/h3><p>One Social Security scam that has cropped up in the midst of the crisis has been a call from a supposed government representative indicating that you are eligible for an increase in your Social Security check based on your last place of employment. \u00a0They ask that you \u2018merely verify\u2019 some information in order to apply for the increase. They also create a feeling of immediacy by saying that the application is due now in order to receive the higher check by the following month.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3a5ab4d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3a5ab4d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-db71088\" data-id=\"db71088\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c809004 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c809004\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/whnt.com\/news\/two-new-phishing-scams-make-the-rounds-in-north-alabama\/\">one such recent incident<\/a>, the caller proclaimed himself to be Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin himself calling about the beneficiary\u2019s supposed increase.\u00a0<\/p><p>It may sound silly when reported here, but people fall for such scams every day. Whenever you receive a request from an unknown (or strange sounding) person or institution asking for some of your personal information, remember the golden rule of scams. Do not give out any personal or financial information to someone you don\u2019t know by internet or over the phone. If something feels off to you, it probably is.\u00a0<\/p><h3><b>#2 Medicare Scams<\/b><\/h3><p>Medicare has recently been a vulnerable target for scams. Today, according to the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/uk-fact-check-testing-kits-scam\/true-claim-phone-calls-offering-coronavirus-test-kits-and-asking-for-social-security-numbers-come-from-scammers-not-the-center-for-medicare-and-medicaid-services-idUSKBN22R2HZ\">bogus calls to beneficiaries are common, such as offering coronavirus testing kits and protective gear<\/a>\u00a0(with no actual intent of delivery). Another common scam is calling and saying they need your Social Security number in order to activate or replace your Medicare card.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7d3a2bf elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7d3a2bf\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f9c4099\" data-id=\"f9c4099\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-d8d36fa elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d8d36fa\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-2978935\" data-id=\"2978935\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f19004 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5f19004\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Once the beneficiary numbers are stolen, hackers have the ability to fill prescriptions and file claims, as well as steal their personal information.\u00a0<\/p><p>If you need to be tested for COVID-19, contact your health-care provider directly. If someone calls claiming to be Medicare and tries to pry for your beneficiary number, you should hang up.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-91273a5\" data-id=\"91273a5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a09b77 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2a09b77\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"583\" height=\"481\" src=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-19-at-6.41.01-PM.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-690\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-19-at-6.41.01-PM.png 583w, https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-19-at-6.41.01-PM-300x248.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 583px) 100vw, 583px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-33f2617 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"33f2617\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f5f1ba0\" data-id=\"f5f1ba0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db1ad22 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"db1ad22\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>To protect yourself from such scams, ensure that Medicare numbers are only shared with doctors, pharmacists, insurers, and trusted healthcare providers. We recommend carefully reviewing your quarterly Medicare summary notices for bogus services which were not requested. If you believe you may be an attempted victim of Medicare fraud, you can report it by calling Medicare\u2019s toll-free customer service center at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicare.gov\/forms-help-resources\/contact-medicare\">1-800-633-4227<\/a>.<\/p><h3><b>#3 Work from home vulnerability<\/b><\/h3><p>The increased number of people working from home gives hackers the ability to attack vulnerable networks that are not backed by the security and comfort of their employers.\u00a0<\/p><p>In a recent\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.crowdstrike.com\/resources\/infographics\/work-security-index-survey-results\/\">CrowdStrike Work Security Index<\/a>\u00a0survey, researchers found that 89% of remote workers find securing their home networks difficult. This vulnerability can exist across tools such as email, conference calls (such as Zoom or Skype), and file sharing (such as DropBox). They are susceptible to phishing, ransomware, and malware.<\/p><p>The study uncovers that most organizations have not put any security precautions and protocol in place. According to the study, 49% of employees do not use a corporate VPN (virtual private network \u2013 a way to maintain data security) to access their work. Another 39% of users do not know how their home networks are protected or encrypted.\u00a0<\/p><p>If you are working from home and your company has not yet put security precautions in place, it may be worth raising concerns about how you and your company communications can stay protected. Using a company VPN or a personal VPN can help defend you and your data by staying within a safe network.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4e4d81c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4e4d81c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7095849\" data-id=\"7095849\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-03d797f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"03d797f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-0ac2d70\" data-id=\"0ac2d70\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-227c1ff elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"227c1ff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"489\" src=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-19-at-6.42.23-PM.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-691\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-19-at-6.42.23-PM.png 688w, https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-19-at-6.42.23-PM-300x229.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-0cac8fb\" data-id=\"0cac8fb\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-48f6a8d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"48f6a8d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>#4 Stimulus Check Scam<\/b><\/h3><p>As of June 7th, 2020, this year, the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ftc.gov\/system\/files\/attachments\/coronavirus-covid-19-consumer-complaint-data\/covid-19-daily-public-complaints.pdf?mod=article_inline\">Federal Trade Commission has received 66,264 complaints<\/a>\u00a0with $48 million in losses with an average loss per person of around $450 dollars. The scams include emails or calls with fraudulent offers, like coronavirus test kits, or the opportunity to support a bogus charity supposedly helping efforts around COVID-19.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6cf7993 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6cf7993\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3082879\" data-id=\"3082879\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94afbb6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"94afbb6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>FTC Consumer Education Specialist\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumer.ftc.gov\/blog\/2019\/03\/phishing-dont-take-bait\">Colleen Trassler<\/a>\u00a0points out that stimulus check scams have particularly targeted senior citizens. Scammers will offer to help seniors get their stimulus checks by asking for their personal information, such as bank routing numbers or social security numbers. Bogus checks are also being sent to trick senior citizens into verifying information online or by calling into a number.<\/p><p>Moreover, while some Americans have indeed received their checks, others might not receive them for a few weeks or even months. Moreover, for Social Security recipients,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2020\/04\/29\/politics\/stimulus-payment-checks-waiting\/index.html\">there may be delays in receiving checks<\/a>, or misunderstandings of how the stimulus checks interact with their regular\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/social-security-retirement-benefits\/\">Social Security benefits<\/a>. This delay period and confusion gives hackers ample opportunity to target those who are waiting\u2013so the scams around stimulus checks are likely to continue.<\/p><p>For more information, the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbb.org\/council\/coronavirus\/\">BBB has a list of scams<\/a>\u00a0that have surfaced due to COVID-19 Also, the Treasury Department has compiled a list of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.treasury.gov\/tigta\/coronavirus.shtml\">IRS Scams<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p><p>Remember: never give out your Social Security number or banking information by phone to anyone who you did not call. Moreover, there is no payment that you need to make or personal information you need to share in order to receive your stimulus check.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/10-important-facts-about-social-security-during-coronavirus\/\">Social Security benefits<\/a>\u00a0have not been halted due to coronavirus, and the Social Security Administration has said they are committed to maintaining regular benefits payments throughout the pandemic.<\/p><h3><b>#5 Vishing<\/b><\/h3><p><a href=\"https:\/\/resources.infosecinstitute.com\/category\/enterprise\/phishing\/phishing-variations\/phishing-variations-vishing\/what-is-vishing\/\">Vishing<\/a>, or voice phishing, is the practice of using voice calls and text messages to pry information from you. Similar to email phishing, but hackers who use vishing create a sense of urgency to lure in victims.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-469c873 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"469c873\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9764033\" data-id=\"9764033\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-d15cab5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d15cab5\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-0c8bca6\" data-id=\"0c8bca6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-95a3b76 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"95a3b76\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"483\" src=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-19-at-6.43.31-PM.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-692\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-19-at-6.43.31-PM.png 683w, https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Screen-Shot-2023-06-19-at-6.43.31-PM-300x226.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-a43e59e\" data-id=\"a43e59e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d983735 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d983735\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>During the pandemic, vishing attacks have been on the rise, especially in the form of hackers pretending to be government agencies such as Social Security or Medicare. They call in threatening to cut off benefits in order to pry personal information from you. Worse, when hackers already have some of your personal data, it is very easy for them to impersonate financial or federal institutions.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-503da75 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"503da75\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d4a8086\" data-id=\"d4a8086\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b54f26 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5b54f26\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>How to protect yourself from Social Security scams, stimulus check hoaxes, and other fraudulent activity<\/b><\/h3><p>If you think you may be on a call or text with a scammer, do not engage \u2013 even to tell them you know it is a scam. Hang up, do not answer the text, don\u2019t click the link, delete that email.\u00a0<\/p><p>At SimplyWise, we suggest changing your passwords frequently, at least every 30-60 days. This will stop the risk of having your information stolen by malicious hackers. To check if your personal email account has been compromised, we recommend\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/haveibeenpwned.com\/\">Have I Been Pwned<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 a free resource, created by a Microsoft Director, to assess the risk of online accounts.\u00a0<\/p><p>We also suggest the following basic protocol to protect yourself from cyber attacks:<\/p><ul><li>Do not open emails from unknown accounts<\/li><li>Ensure multi-factor authentication (MFA) is activated on all personal accounts<\/li><li>Do not put personal information on your phone<\/li><li>Check the sender\u2019s email domain name<\/li><li>Look at the grammatical writing of emails received \u2013 if things seem off, they probably are<\/li><li>Do not provide personal information in your emails or on calls (with the exception of if you started the phone conversation and with a trusted source)<\/li><li>Consider installing antivirus software on your mobile phone and computer like\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bitdefender.com\/media\/html\/consumer\/new\/100-vip-special-opt\/?pid=vip_special_offer&amp;cid=aff%7Cc%7Cir&amp;clickid=VxkWoEUewxyOWdawUx0Mo38TUkizgY23PztTwE0&amp;irgwc=1&amp;MPid=221109&amp;cid=aff%7Cc%7CIR&amp;adobe_mc=MCMID%3D62265559941161474230833475258953724683%7CMCORGID%3D0E920C0F53DA9E9B0A490D45%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1588537165\">Bitdefender<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/us.norton.com\/products\/norton-360-antivirus-plus?sid=trd-1450223857981379000&amp;cjid=6361382&amp;clickid=4a5fe9ff8d7b11ea824e036b0a24060f_800403598284036299%3AE2cXkS5EH2f_&amp;af_sub4=aff&amp;af_sub5=CJ&amp;c=CJ&amp;cjevent=4a5fe9ff8d7b11ea824e036b0a24060f\">Norton<\/a>\u00a0<\/li><\/ul><p>Additionally, companies and governments have released their own guidelines in terms of dealing with security during COVID-19.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/security\/blog\/2020\/04\/08\/microsoft-shares-new-threat-intelligence-security-guidance-during-global-crisis\/\">Microsoft\u2019s COVID-19 Security Guidance<\/a>\u00a0advises customers to enable ATP (Advanced Threat Protection) on all their products. The FBI also released an advisory\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ic3.gov\/media\/2020\/200420.aspx\">public service announcement<\/a>\u00a0to guide and assist people.\u00a0<\/p><p>Finally, if you think you have been the attempted victim of a stimulus check scam, you should immediately contact law enforcement. You can also report fraudulent activity to the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/bbb.org\/ScamTracker\">Better Business Bureau<\/a>. And you can report Social Security scams directly to the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/oig.ssa.gov\/\">Social Security Administration\u2019s Office of the Inspector General<\/a>.<\/p><h3>Takeaways<\/h3><p>With the health pandemic, unemployment highs, and reductions in wages, these are challenging times for all Americans. Almost all citizens are\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/retirement-confidence-index\/\">facing some kind of financial uncertainty<\/a>\u00a0after seeing savings and investments accounts decimated. Consequently, scammers find opportunity in taking advantage of the vulnerable, including senior citizens and others on fixed or limited income.\u00a0<\/p><p>That\u2019s why it\u2019s more important than ever right now to stay vigilant, know the scams that are out there, and learn how to protect yourself and your family. Navigating the web and understanding government programs like Social Security (from\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/10-important-facts-about-social-security-during-coronavirus\/\">retirement<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/guide-to-social-security-spousal-benefits\/\">spousal<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/guide-to-social-security-and-death\/\">survivor<\/a>\u00a0benefits) is confusing when we\u2019re not in the middle of a pandemic. And the coronavirus crisis itself is making life hard for all Americans today. We cannot allow these hackers to take advantage of the confusion and add to the current crisis.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-16a9539 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"16a9539\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-12637d4\" data-id=\"12637d4\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c51a3d elementor-widget elementor-widget-template\" data-id=\"9c51a3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"template.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-template\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"196\" class=\"elementor elementor-196\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-339b45e0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"339b45e0\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3f771e94\" data-id=\"3f771e94\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44435407 elementor-cta--skin-classic elementor-animated-content elementor-bg-transform elementor-bg-transform-zoom-in elementor-widget elementor-widget-call-to-action\" data-id=\"44435407\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"call-to-action.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-cta\" href=\"https:\/\/simplywise.app.link\/Iv0wVANrvfb\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-content-item elementor-cta__content-item elementor-icon-wrapper elementor-cta__icon elementor-view-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-lightbulb\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-cta__title elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">DID YOU KNOW?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__description elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRetirement is 99% easier when your paperwork is organized. \n\nJoin 250,000+ Americans securely storing their important receipts, bills &amp; documents with the SimplyWise app.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__button-wrapper elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-cta__button elementor-button elementor-size-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGet the App\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Digital attacks are at an all time high, especially due to the uncertainty today caused by the coronavirus and now the protests across the nation. From social security scams to data breaches, our personal information is becoming more vulnerable than ever.\u00a0 With the looming economic uncertainty, hackers are increasingly predatory and looking to take advantage [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":687,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-686","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Pandemic scams targeting senior citizens - SimplyWise Cost Estimator<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From Social Security scams to data breaches, our personal information is becoming more vulnerable than ever.\u00a0With today&#039;s uncertainty, staying safe requires...\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/pandemic-scams-targeting-senior-citizens\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Pandemic scams targeting senior citizens - SimplyWise Cost Estimator\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"From Social Security scams to data breaches, our personal information is becoming more vulnerable than ever.\u00a0With today&#039;s uncertainty, staying safe requires...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/pandemic-scams-targeting-senior-citizens\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"SimplyWise Cost Estimator\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-07-08T23:37:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-12-04T01:51:36+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/shutterstock_503150188.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"534\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Allie Fleder\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Allie Fleder\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/pandemic-scams-targeting-senior-citizens\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/pandemic-scams-targeting-senior-citizens\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Allie Fleder\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/e1e876d7736d540f0047b6adc84e2ba1\"},\"headline\":\"Pandemic scams targeting senior citizens\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-07-08T23:37:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-12-04T01:51:36+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/pandemic-scams-targeting-senior-citizens\/\"},\"wordCount\":1589,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/pandemic-scams-targeting-senior-citizens\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/pandemic-scams-targeting-senior-citizens\/\",\"name\":\"Pandemic scams targeting senior citizens - 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