Identity theft is something that seniors need to be very proactive about. Every year, about one in ten seniors is the victim of identity theft. And every year seniors lose billions of dollars in scams and identity thefts.
As technology changes, thieves find new ways to exploit seniors who may not be very tech-savvy. And now, AI has made it even easier for scammers to get access to your mom or dad’s bank accounts and personal information so that they can steal your senior parent’s identity.
Home care assistance can help protect your mom or dad from identity theft. If your mom or dad has home care assistance, someone will be in the home with them every day to make sure they aren’t answering scam phone calls, clicking on suspicious links, or giving out information to people that they shouldn’t be.
In addition to home care assistance, these tools can also help protect your mom or dad from identity theft:
1. Password Managers
A password manager can store all of your parent’s passwords in one secure place. Many people use the same password for multiple accounts, which is risky. If one account gets hacked, all others with the same password are also at risk.
A password manager creates strong, unique passwords and saves them. This way, your parent only has to remember one main password for the manager itself.
2. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Apps
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a second layer of security to an account. When someone tries to log in, they need more than just a password. With 2FA, a code is sent to a phone or email that must be entered after the password.
This prevents thieves from accessing an account, even if they have the password. Many banks, email providers, and online stores offer 2FA as an option.
A home care assistance provider can help your mom or dad manage their two-factor authentication app. Many banks and financial institutions now use two-factor authentication to verify account ownership.
3. Identity Monitoring Services
Identity monitoring services watch for unusual activity related to your parent’s personal information. They can alert you if someone uses your parent’s name, Social Security number, or credit card without permission.
These services monitor credit reports, social media, and even the dark web for any misuse of personal details. If your mom or dad doesn’t log into their accounts regularly, having a service that will check their accounts often is a good idea.
4. Credit Freeze
A credit freeze is one of the best ways to prevent thieves from opening new accounts in your parent’s name. A credit freeze stops lenders from seeing your parent’s credit report, which makes it hard for anyone to get new credit in their name.
Turning on a credit freeze doesn’t affect current accounts, and it can be “unfrozen” if needed. Freezing credit is strongly recommended for seniors, especially if your parent rarely opens new credit accounts.
5. Antivirus and Anti-Malware Software
Computers and smartphones need protection from malware and viruses. Malware can steal personal information or track what your parents type. Good antivirus software can detect and remove malware before it becomes a problem. The software updates automatically, protecting against new threats as technology changes.
If you or someone you know needs Home Care Assistance in Buffalo, MN, contact Adara Home Health. We provide quality and affordable home care services for many fragile or senior members in the communities we serve. Call us at (888) 525-7742 for more information.