June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day —

a day to focus on the issue of elder abuse, which includes physical, emotional, and financial abuse, as well as neglect.

Approximately one in 10 Americans aged 60 and older has experienced some form of elder abuse, according to the National Center on Elder Abuse. As many as five million elders are abused each year physically, emotionally, and financially. Annual financial damages are estimated at $36 billion.

One form of financial abuse older Americans face is a result of cyber crime. This can include theft of money or personal information, identity theft, and more.

Elders are often targeted by cyber criminals because they are seen as easy targets — they may not be as tech-savvy as younger generations and they may be more likely to fall for a scam.

We want to help spread awareness about this issue and provide elders with the tools they need to protect themselves from cyber criminals.

It is important to educate our loved ones of the older generations. The reality of cyber crime is novel to many elders. They may not know how to protect themselves or what red flags to look out for.

Here are some tips from One Step Secure IT to help elders protect themselves from cyber crime:

  • Keep your personal information safe. Be careful about giving out your Social Security number, credit card information, or other sensitive personal information.
  • Be aware of phishing scams. Don't click on links in emails or text messages from people you don't know.
  • Don't respond to calls or texts from unknown numbers. Scammers will often pose as representatives from a government agency or a company you do business with.
  • Keep your computer and software up to date. Install security updates and anti-virus software to help protect your devices from malware.
  • Be careful about what you post on social media. Scammers can use information you share on social media to target you with scams.

Elders need to be careful in today's age of technology. With a few simple steps, they can help protect themselves from becoming victims of cybercrime.

One Step Secure IT is here to help elders stay informed and safe from scammers and hackers. Let's work together to keep our elders safe from cybercriminals. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is a day to spread awareness and knowledge about this important issue.

Join us in protecting our elders.

Local Phoenix Metro Event

The City of Tempe, Arizona, is hosting a free informational public discussion on Friday, June 17th at the Pyle Adult Recreation Center at 655 E. Southern Ave. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

As part of this event, Tempe Mayor Corey Woods will facilitate a public discussion about prioritizing the fight against elder abuse and financial exploitation of Arizona seniors.

"Elder abuse is a crime," Mayor Woods said. "Through public education, communication and partnerships, we can help people avoid being victimized.”