Technology is wonderful. We are able to do so many tasks with a few clicks from just about anywhere in the world. These advancements have assisted the world of finance, healthcare, education, and more… but modern technology is not without its pitfalls.
At any given moment, you might see four or five advertisements on a single webpage. There are people and companies trying to get into your pocketbook at every corner of the internet – many of them in nefarious or illegal ways. Navigating an internet full of scammers and people who want to take advantage of your hard work can be challenging, especially for seniors who weren’t raised on this technology and built a life without it.
The team at Zamora, Hillman & Villavicencio believes everyone has a right to protect themselves, their hard work, and their money from scammers looking to make a quick buck. There are steps you can take to really dodge these scammers and spot a good fake when you see one.
Advances in technology mean advances in scamming
As Newton’s third law states, “for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” When technology advances so too does the ability for hackers to exploit those who aren’t caught up on modern tech.
Smartphones, tablets, and computers are sophisticated today and it’s unreasonable to expect those who haven’t been a part of those advancements to fully understand them. In fact, many young people who use this technology every day aren’t able to keep up.
Scammers know their schemes need to be sophisticated and believable in order to steal people’s money. It’s important not to get caught up in the web of technology and end up falling for a scam in the confusion. Instead, rely on others to help you when money and personal information are exposed.
There is such a thing as too good to be true
Some scams may seem obvious on their face. I mean, somebody sending you an email and telling you you’re the only heir to a multi-million dollar dynasty in Nigeria is TOO obvious, right? Unfortunately, this type of fraud, known as “419 Fraud” actually dates back to the 1700s and continues today to the tune of over $700,000 in successful scams a year.
These are innocent people who worked hard for that money and are being taken advantage of because of their willingness to engage with modern technology. That’s not fair to them and that’s not fair to our society. If you ever come across a “deal” that seems too good to be true, trust your gut and then talk to friends, family, and your attorney about the situation before ever giving out your own information.
Young people get scammed too
This brings us to younger generations – they get scammed, too. In fact, Better Business Bureau statistics show that people who are 18-44 years old represent 53% of scam victims whereas people who are 65 and older only represent 12% of scam victims.
These numbers further highlight just how sophisticated technology and scammers have gotten today. With concerns over privacy at an all-time high and people of all ages being confused about who has their data, we should all be cautious.
People get scammed or worse every day. Scammers have enough technology to steal away privacy and even mimic identities. You aren’t alone in having to navigate all this, though. At Zamora, Hillman & Villavicencio, we can help you navigate these uncharted waters. Contact our team should you face any of these issues and need help.
Zamora, Hillman & Villavicencio
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