Smartphones are arguably one of the greatest inventions of our time. Forty years ago computers were bulky, slow and not particularly user-friendly. Today, we hold our computers in the palms of our hands, and they contain a wealth of information that’s readily available at the swipe of a finger.
But, as with any type of technology, smartphones aren’t without their dangers. Scammers are constantly looking for ways to use technology to steal information, and smartphones are an easy target for such individuals.
Thankfully, with a little bit of know-how and a few precautions, you can easily protect yourself and your personal information against scammers.
Tips for Safer Smartphone Use
Look out for phishing emails and texts. Phishing is the fraudulent practice of sending emails purporting to be from reputable companies in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers. It may attempt to get other information such as social security numbers or any other information that could be used to steal your identity or compromise your finances. Phishing can come in the form of emails, texts, or even social media messages, so be wary! Warning signs of phishing scams include:
- Unknown senders.
- Suspicious email subject lines.
- Unusual attachments.
- “Too-good-to-be-true” promises (i.e., free gift cards or prizes).
- Suspicious URLs.
If an email or text contains one or more of these red flags, delete it immediately without opening it.
Be on alert for telemarketing scams. Telemarketing scams are essentially the same as phishing – just performed via phone call instead of text or email. These types of scams will often come from unknown callers (your phone may even identify the caller as “Scam Likely” or some other designation to denote that the call is suspicious). Telemarketing scams often promise free prizes, trips or cash in exchange for personal information. The best way to deal with telemarketers is to screen your calls carefully. With caller ID, you can usually tell if a call is unknown or suspicious, so let these calls go to voicemail instead of picking up. If it’s an important call, the person will leave a message. If it’s a scam, they most likely will not. If you recognize a telemarketing number that calls you regularly, you can block them in your settings so that your phone will not receive the calls at all.
Use caution on social media. From phishing to online predators, social media can be fraught with scammers. Never share your address, phone number or other personal information on your social media pages, and be wary of suspicious messages. Even if a message comes from someone you know, if the content of the message seems odd or out of character, the person’s account may have been hacked.
Don’t store personal info on your phone. Even if you keep your phone locked, it’s not wise to store your social security number or bank account info on your phone or any digital device. Keep this information stored in a physical lock box or some other secure location where it can’t be hacked.
Choose smart passwords. Password-protecting your phone and applications is only half the battle. You also need to make sure that the passwords you choose are secure. Don’t use family names, birth dates, or other words or combinations that could easily be guessed. If you have trouble remembering your passwords, write them in a notebook and add that to your lockbox for added security. Cyber security experts recommend changing passwords every three months.
Take advantage of advanced security features. Does your phone have facial or thumbprint recognition software? Most smartphones nowadays have some kind of unique recognition device that makes it so only you can unlock your phone. Be sure to enable these features so that you’re the only one who has access to your phone at any time. Two-factor authentication is another great feature to protect your personal information.
Find a trusted individual to ask for advice. If you need help setting up security features on your phone or identifying phishing scams, it’s always good to ask for help. Find a family member, friend or trusted advisor and enlist their help in navigating through smartphone security.
Get More Tips from Americo Senior Life
Americo Senior Life takes protecting your personal information and financial security very seriously. We are a trusted resource for seniors who want to live life to the fullest, while building a secure financial future.
For help with senior life insurance, contact a representative today and you could be approved for a policy within minutes. Or, to see more helpful tips and advice for seniors, visit our resources page.