SENIORS
LIVING
\\MARCH, 2020
23
Give web fraudsters the flick CYBERSECURITY is a real threat to everyone, from millennials who are afflicted with ‘‘optimism bias’’, through to seniors who lack general cybersecurity knowledge. According to the ACCC, scammers cost Australians half a billion dollars in 2018, via various schemes including internet-enabled theft, fraud, and exploitation, so it is important for those who didn’t grow up with technology to protect themselves from some of the most common types of online fraud. Nick FitzGerald, senior research fellow at ESET, said: “Optimism bias, loneliness, and deteriorating cognitive abilities are key leverage points that scammers use to target their victims. By understanding the potential risks and identifying the signs, those who grew up without technology can better protect themselves in 2020.” Cybersecurity experts at ESET have outlined some tips to keep all internet users, including seniors, safe
from common types of online scams. 1. Be sceptical Never assume that a stranger online is a trustworthy person. Always consider the possibility that any unexpected message may be a scam attempt, noting anything unusual about the message or sender. Additionally, caution should still be exercised if the message comes (or seems to come) from someone well known via email, instant messaging apps or social media. If in doubt, throw it out. 2. Don’t click It’s important to never automatically assume that any material received out of the blue is authentic, no matter how official it looks. One of the most pervasive online cons, phishing, usually begins with an unsolicited email or social media message in which the fraudster impersonates a trusted entity using social engineering techniques, and attempts to persuade the victim to hand over sensitive data, such as credit card details or login credentials. 3. Say no to ‘freebies’
Fraudsters have also been known to send emails congratulating people on their “win’’ in a lottery or sweepstake that they never entered, or as the apparent only remaining relative of a y wealthy person who is genuinely deceased. Asking for personal details, requesting small payments and instilling a sense of urgency are all signs of a scam. 4. Never wire money to strangers Some $60.5 million was lost by Australians in 2018 to dating and romance fraud. Victims are tricked into sending money or personal information to a false admirer, making lonely seniors particularly susceptible. 5. Hang up Tech support fraud is a common technique where the con artist advises potential victims that their computers have been compromised by malware. Never give remote access to a device unless you called a help desk directly, even if the caller claims to represent a reputable vendor or your ISP.
STAY ALERT: Scammers could be lurking behind your next email, so be aware of the signs and never give out your personal details. Picture: Contributed
Mortgage woes put squeeze on seniors
DEBT DURESS: Many seniors struggling to meet their home loan repayments, particularly women, are also battling mental health problems. Picture: Contributed
V1 - SEWE01Z01MA
IT’S tough on young people paying off housing debt, but older mortgagees have it nailed, right? Maybe not. At a time when seniors are expected to be downsizing and moving away from the worries of high debt, many are joining their children buying into the so-called great Australian dream. Incredibly, real mortgage debt of the over 55s jumped 600 per cent between 1987 and 2015. National Seniors Australia says research has found that while house prices tripled and debt levels increased, income or the means to pay the debt lagged. The Australian Housing and Urban Research
Institute (AHURI) research found the ratio of average mortgage debt to income for over 55s tripled from 71 per cent to 211 in the 28 years to 2015. Facing repayment difficulties, older mortgagees report lower mental health and high psychological distress than older outright owners. Women generally have lower levels of mental health and higher levels of psychological distress than male mortgagees. Their personal wellbeing is also more sensitive to their personal circumstances. Women have longer life expectancies than men, are more likely to experience career interruptions and are less inclined than men to
remarry following a marital breakdown. Older female mortgagees face multiple challenges. There is a perceived need to carefully design policies and programs that provide adequate support for women at risk of housing insecurity and poverty in old age. Another sobering prediction is that Demand for Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) is projected to rise by 60 per cent, from 414,000 in 2016 to 664,000 in 2031. The unmet demand for public housing from private renters aged 55 or over is expected to rise by 78 per cent – from 200,000 to 440,000 households – between 2016 and 2031.
