Beware of These Top 3 Computer Scams Targeting Seniors

Hey there, Gales Ferry friends and Captain Computer followers! It’s Peter Wilbanks here, your local tech guy with over 30 years of keeping your computers humming along smoothly. Lately, I’ve been hearing more and more from customers—especially our older folks—about sneaky computer scams that are costing people their hard-earned money and peace of mind. As someone who’s dedicated to keeping our community safe online, I wanted to take a minute to shine a light on the top three computer scams that seniors like you are falling for, how they work, and—most importantly—how to steer clear of them. Scammers are crafty, and they know how to tug at your heartstrings or scare you into action. But don’t worry—I’ve got your back. Let’s dive into these scams, break down their tricks, and arm you with the know-how to stay safe.

1. The Tech Support Scam – “Your Computer’s Infected, Call Us Now!” How It Works: This is the king of computer scams targeting seniors, and it’s been topping the charts for years. Here’s how it goes: You’re on your computer, and suddenly a pop-up window freezes your screen with a blaring red warning: “Virus Alert! Your system is infected. Call this number immediately to save your data!” Or maybe you get a phone call out of the blue from someone claiming to be “Mike from Microsoft” saying they’ve detected a problem with your PC. Once you’re on the hook, they convince you to let them remotely access your computer to “fix” it. They might run fake scans to show you “proof” of viruses (it’s all smoke and mirrors), then charge you hundreds of dollars for unnecessary services—or worse, install malware to steal your personal info. The Hook Scenario: Imagine you’re checking your email when that pop-up hits. It’s loud, urgent, and says your bank info is at risk if you don’t act fast. The voice on the phone sounds official, maybe even spoofing a real company’s caller ID. They prey on that moment of panic when you think, “I can’t lose my photos or my online banking!” How to Avoid It: First off, Microsoft, Apple, or any legit tech company will never call you out of the blue or send random pop-ups. If you see one, don’t click anything—shut down your browser or restart your computer. If someone calls claiming to be tech support, hang up immediately. And never, ever give remote access to your computer unless it’s someone you’ve contacted yourself—like me here at Captain Computer! If you’re worried about a virus, bring your machine to us, and we’ll check it out the honest way.

2. The Fake Antivirus Scam – “Download This to Stay Safe!” How It Works: This one’s a sneaky cousin of the tech support scam. You’re browsing the web, and a pop-up ad or email warns you that your antivirus software is out of date or your computer’s at risk. It offers a “free download” to protect you. But here’s the catch: that “antivirus” is either a useless program they charge you for later, or it’s actual malware that locks your files (ransomware) or steals your passwords and banking details. Once it’s on your system, the scammers have you right where they want you—paying to “unlock” your computer or dealing with identity theft. The Hook Scenario: Picture this: You’re reading the news online, and a flashy ad pops up saying, “Your computer is vulnerable! Click here for a free scan.” It looks legit—maybe it even mimics Norton or McAfee’s logo. You think, “Better safe than sorry,” and click. Next thing you know, your screen’s locked, and they’re demanding $500 in gift cards to fix it. How to Avoid It: Stick to trusted antivirus software you’ve purchased or downloaded from official sites—names like Norton, McAfee, or Windows Defender (which comes free with your PC). Never click on pop-up ads or links in unsolicited emails promising protection. Keep your software updated through legitimate channels, and if something feels off, give us a call at Captain Computer before you download anything. We’ll set you up with real protection, no gimmicks.

3. The Phishing Scam – “Update Your Account or Lose Access!” How It Works: Phishing scams trick you into handing over your login credentials or financial info through fake emails or websites. You might get an email that looks like it’s from your bank, PayPal, or even a service like Netflix, saying there’s a “security issue” with your account. It urges you to click a link and “verify” your info by logging in or entering your credit card details. The link takes you to a fake site that looks real, and once you type in your info, the scammers have it. They can drain your accounts or sell your data on the dark web. The Hook Scenario: You open your inbox and see an email from “Bank of America” saying your account’s been locked due to “suspicious activity.” It’s got the bank’s logo, and the message says, “Click here to unlock your account within 24 hours, or it’ll be closed.” You’re worried about paying bills, so you click—and they’ve got you. How to Avoid It: Don’t click links in emails asking for personal info, even if they look legit. Hover over the sender’s email address (don’t click!) to see if it’s fishy—like “support@bankofamerlca.com” (spot the typo?). Instead, go directly to the company’s official website by typing the URL yourself or call their customer service number—the real one, not one from the email. And keep your spam filter on! If you’re unsure about an email, forward it to me at Captain Computer, and I’ll help you figure out if it’s safe. Stay Smart, Stay Safe These scams hit seniors hard because they play on trust, urgency, and sometimes a lack of tech confidence. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to be a tech wizard to outsmart them. My top tips? Slow down—scammers hate when you take time to think. Don’t give out info or access to anyone you didn’t reach out to first. And when in doubt, call me, Peter Wilbanks, at Captain Computer. We’re right here in Gales Ferry to help you with real fixes,Call us at 860 464 5330. Let’s keep our community safe together. Share this with your friends and family, and drop by the shop if you’ve got questions. Stay vigilant out there!