Cell Phone Safety Tips for Seniors

With the advent of the cellphone, we went from being tied to our house phone to talking with anyone across the world, wherever we happen to be. As technology progressed, the heavy, large phones shrank and became much lighter and easily fit our pockets. Today, your smartphone is much more than a phone; it is a mini-computer capable of doing almost as much as a regular computer. These powerful devices keep us in touch with family and friends. Unfortunately, they are also attractive gateways for scam callers, robocalls, pranksters, and thieves. That is why it is important to be aware of these smartphone tips for seniors.

How to Not Fall Prey to Scammers

Avoid letting thieves take away your hard-earned money and peace of mind. Instead of giving them easy access, make it much harder to steal your information or take advantage of you when you use these cell phone safety tips:

1. Take Caution if Using Public Wi-Fi. It is easy to take advantage of free Wi-Fi at the public library or local diner. Unfortunately, hackers also take advantage of unwary Internet users who log into their online bank or credit card app through their smartphone. They will gain entry into your account information and steal everything they can. Sure, you can use free Wi-Fi, but try to keep any important business for those times when you are on a private network.
2. Put a Password on Your Smartphone. If you lose your phone, a thief can steal your contacts and other personal information. Setting up a password makes it much harder for a person with bad intentions to access that information. In addition, newer phones utilize biometrics, so you can lock and unlock your devices with your fingerprints and retina scans. Take advantage of that feature or, at the least, set up a password.
3. Don’t Trust Texts or Calls from Numbers You Don’t Recognize. Remember those phone calls you get on your landline requesting information? They can now come to your cell phone. What makes it worse is that you can receive a text with bogus links. Avoid giving into curiosity; ignore or, better yet, block those numbers.
4. Keep Your Personal Information Off Your Phone. It is convenient to house some pertinent details on your smartphone; however, if you lose it, someone with ill-intentions can take advantage of the windfall they found.

Protect Your Senior with Support from Home Instead

No one wants to see their parent or themselves taken advantage of by a cybercriminal. Yet, seniors are a prime target in a lot of cases. Utilizing a password on a smartphone is a significant first step. Additionally, relying on the assistance of a professional caregiver from Home Instead Kitchener-Waterloo, ON is an excellent second step. Our caregivers can give you or your beloved senior the support they need to take the necessary precautions to avoid being victims. We offer many different services to make life much easier for you and your family. From home helper to meal prep and Alzheimer’s care, you can count on us to be there when you need us.

Call us at (519) 571-1665 to schedule a no-obligation, in-home consultation. Learn more about the compassionate, quality senior care we deliver each day to families in Kitchener-Waterloo, ON and surrounding communities.