![]() That’s when you’re ripe for the taking.” How it works “They’re really good at these quick emotional flips and putting you in a panic state very quickly. “If this is your first encounter with this type of sociopathology, the most dangerous thing you can do is think you’re too smart to fall for it,” warns Bob Sullivan, consumer security expert, and host of AARP’s Perfect Scam podcast. But cyber swindler tricks are evolving and becoming more convincing every day. The FTC, FBI, and AARP are also trying to get the word out about it. It’s gotten so bad, Microsoft and Apple now warn people about various iterations of this scam on their websites. The FTC also reports fraud losses totaled $388 million through the third quarter of 2020, a number that’s up 23% from 2019. This coincides with the pandemic and more people of all ages spending more time in the digital world. What’s new is how scammers are targeting more people over the age of 60 online than by phone, according to an October 2020 report from the Federal Trade Commission. Social media: Facebook's new tool lets users control what they see, share on their News Feedsīeware this scam: Roku setup, activation scam doesn't include cold calls, bogus links She’s the victim of the most successful online fraud against seniors in America today – a new version of the “ tech support” scam – that’s bilked people out of billions of dollars for the last several years. My mom lost $2,000 and even though she reported it to her bank right away, she’s been told there’s nothing they can do (more on this below). “You know, these people are very good at what they do.” ![]() I called the number on the screen, a man answered, “Apple Support,” she pauses and her voice cracks again. I tried to grab it, and when I couldn’t, I figured since it was happening on a Mac, it was real. “There was a cursor running amok on my screen. “I’m so embarrassed,” she tells me through tears. A new version of the old tech support scam But the real danger wasn’t a virus on her computer, it was the man who answered on the other end of the phone. ![]() Still, when a giant yellow “alert” covered half of her MacBook Pro screen a few weeks ago, warning her that hackers had taken control of her device and to call the “Apple Support” number on the screen immediately or else.she did just that. She also has an array of built-in tech support experts all around her – including me – her own daughter! My 76-year old mom is an incredibly tech-savvy senior who commands her gadgets more like a Millennial than someone born the same year the ballpoint pen was invented. ![]()
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