Unfortunately, internet scams are becoming more common and sophisticated, and they often target seniors who may not be familiar with the latest online security measures.

Angels Care Family Homes wants to help you protect yourself and your personal information from these fraudsters, so we have prepared this basic guide that you can share with your parents or other seniors in your life.

Some of the common scams involve using robots or fake callers that pretend to be your relatives, bank or credit card officials, or even the IRS and other agencies. They may try to trick you into giving them your identity, bank accounts, credit cards, or other confidential information. They may also ask you to send them money, gift cards, or other valuables.

Please be careful and vigilant when you receive these emails or phone calls. Here are some things to know:

1. The IRS will never call you asking for information. They will send you a letter instead.
2. Credit card companies may call you about suspicious transactions, but they will not ask you to provide your bank names, account numbers, passwords, or user IDs.
3. Never ever ever take out cash to wire to a relative or friend, no matter what the circumstance. These are almost always fraudulent.
4. Never send gift cards to someone requesting payment in this format. They cannot be traced and almost always are a scam.
5. Never send money to receive more money. This is a common lottery scam that tries to fool unsuspecting seniors into paying for shipping or taxes for something that does not exist.

If you have any doubts or questions about any online communication or transaction, please do not hesitate to contact your trusted relatives, friends, or financial advisors. They can help you verify the authenticity and legitimacy of the source and the request. You can also set up a two-step authentication process with your bank or credit card company, so that any large or unusual transactions are notified and confirmed by both you and another person who has access to your accounts.

We hope this guide helps you stay safe and secure online. You have worked hard for your money and your identity, and you deserve to enjoy them without being harassed or scammed by anyone.