Tech Tips
Marin Villages helps older adults manage their technology, from smartphones, smart tablets, smart watches, smart TV and of course laptop and desktop computers.
This page will offer reqular tips from Marin Villages tech volunteers and members and will tap into some of the great videos and other information on the internet that are geared to providing technology assistance to seniors.
Technology / Computer Help Office Hours
Issues with your printer? iPhone not syncing properly? If so, join our volunteer tech support group for the answers to these and all of your other burning technology questions! We look forward to continuing to help solve your frustrating tech problems. This is a space where you can "drop in," ask questions, and receive personalized, individually focused, expert tech advice from some of our wonderful tech volunteers. Even if you'd just like to sit in to learn a little more about technology, we'd love to have you participate! So bring your questions about your computers, tablets, phones, smart watches and smart TVs etc., and our dedicated tech volunteers will do the rest. This opportunity is available to all Marin Villages members and volunteers. Please join us at this link!
Tip of the Month - Scams Calls
Tip of the Month - Scams Calls
Every year, roughly 7 million adults, 65 and older, fall victim to senior scams and while seniors are 20 percent less likely than younger people to fall for scams the median loss is often much greater. Marin Villages continues to prioritize education on helping its members avoid scams.
To avoid falling victim to scams involving fake customer service numbers, it's essential to exercise caution when seeking assistance online.
To avoid falling victim to scams involving fake customer service numbers, it's essential to exercise caution when seeking assistance online.
Whenever possible, verify the legitimacy of a customer service number by visiting the company's official website or contacting them through trusted channels. Use the numbers on the back of your cards or from your statements. Be extremely wary of unsolicited calls or messages that request sensitive information (Date of Birth, Social Security or other account numbers or request payments or transfers, as these may be indicators of a scam of phishing attempt.
• Verify Contact Information: Cross-check the phone number you found on the website with other reliable sources, such as business directories, to ensure consistency.
• Use Trusted Sources: If you're searching for a company's contact information online, use reputable sources like official business directories, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or industry-specific directories.
• Check Reviews and Ratings: Look for reviews and ratings of the company to see if there are any complaints about fraudulent activities or scams. Websites like Yelp, Google Reviews, and the BBB can provide insights from other customers.
• Avoid Suspicious Calls or Emails: Be cautious of unsolicited calls or emails claiming to be from a company, especially if they ask for personal information or payment details. Legitimate companies typically do not request sensitive information over the phone or via email without prior arrangement.
• Verify Identity: If you receive a call from someone claiming to represent a company, ask for their name, title, and contact information. Then, independently verify their identity by calling the company's official number or contacting them through their verified email address.
• Be Skeptical of Urgency or Pressure: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure victims into making quick decisions. Take your time to research and verify before providing any sensitive information or making payments. Ask a trusted family member or friend for advice.
• Use Payment Methods with Protection: When making payments or transactions, use secure payment methods that offer buyer protection, such as credit cards or reputable online payment platforms. Do not purchase gift cards!
• Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter a suspicious company or believe you've been targeted by a scam, report it to relevant authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or local consumer protection agencies.
Additionally, scammers employ various tactics to put up fake customer service numbers on the internet, often with the intention of deceiving unsuspecting individuals. Don’t search with phrases such as “live customer contact for xxx?” as these can redirect to a scammer. Go to the official website. Unfortunately, many companies now no longer publish phone numbers requiring you to go via email or chat.
Here are some common methods bad actors use:
• Spoofing: Don’t trust caller ID. Scammers can spoof legitimate phone numbers to make it appear as though their fake customer service number is associated with a reputable company. They use technology to manipulate caller ID systems, making it difficult for individuals to discern the authenticity of the call.
• Phishing Websites: Scammers create fake websites that mimic the appearance of legitimate companies. These websites often feature counterfeit customer service numbers, which unsuspecting individuals may call for assistance. The scammers then pose as representatives of the company and attempt to trick callers into providing sensitive information or making payments.
• Search Engine Manipulation: Scammers exploit search engine optimization techniques to ensure that their fake customer service numbers appear prominently in search results. They may use keywords related to customer service or technical support to attract individuals seeking assistance with a particular product or service.
• Online Ads: Scammers place deceptive online advertisements that promote their fake customer service numbers. These ads may appear on search engines, social media platforms, or other websites frequented by potential victims. Unsuspecting individuals may click on these ads and inadvertently contact the scammers for assistance.
• Fake Reviews: Scammers may create fake online reviews to lend credibility to their fake customer service numbers. These reviews may falsely claim that the scammers provided excellent assistance, further deceiving individuals into believing that the number is legitimate.
• Social Engineering: Scammers use social engineering tactics to manipulate individuals into calling their fake customer service numbers. They may create fake customer service accounts on social media platforms and respond to legitimate customer inquiries with their fraudulent contact information.
What steps can you take to make it more difficult for the bad actors
• Official Websites: Start by visiting the company's official website. Legitimate companies usually provide their contact information, including phone numbers, on their official sites.
• Spoofing: Don’t trust caller ID. Scammers can spoof legitimate phone numbers to make it appear as though their fake customer service number is associated with a reputable company. They use technology to manipulate caller ID systems, making it difficult for individuals to discern the authenticity of the call.
• Phishing Websites: Scammers create fake websites that mimic the appearance of legitimate companies. These websites often feature counterfeit customer service numbers, which unsuspecting individuals may call for assistance. The scammers then pose as representatives of the company and attempt to trick callers into providing sensitive information or making payments.
• Search Engine Manipulation: Scammers exploit search engine optimization techniques to ensure that their fake customer service numbers appear prominently in search results. They may use keywords related to customer service or technical support to attract individuals seeking assistance with a particular product or service.
• Online Ads: Scammers place deceptive online advertisements that promote their fake customer service numbers. These ads may appear on search engines, social media platforms, or other websites frequented by potential victims. Unsuspecting individuals may click on these ads and inadvertently contact the scammers for assistance.
• Fake Reviews: Scammers may create fake online reviews to lend credibility to their fake customer service numbers. These reviews may falsely claim that the scammers provided excellent assistance, further deceiving individuals into believing that the number is legitimate.
• Social Engineering: Scammers use social engineering tactics to manipulate individuals into calling their fake customer service numbers. They may create fake customer service accounts on social media platforms and respond to legitimate customer inquiries with their fraudulent contact information.
What steps can you take to make it more difficult for the bad actors
• Official Websites: Start by visiting the company's official website. Legitimate companies usually provide their contact information, including phone numbers, on their official sites.
• Verify Contact Information: Cross-check the phone number you found on the website with other reliable sources, such as business directories, to ensure consistency.
• Use Trusted Sources: If you're searching for a company's contact information online, use reputable sources like official business directories, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or industry-specific directories.
• Check Reviews and Ratings: Look for reviews and ratings of the company to see if there are any complaints about fraudulent activities or scams. Websites like Yelp, Google Reviews, and the BBB can provide insights from other customers.
• Avoid Suspicious Calls or Emails: Be cautious of unsolicited calls or emails claiming to be from a company, especially if they ask for personal information or payment details. Legitimate companies typically do not request sensitive information over the phone or via email without prior arrangement.
• Verify Identity: If you receive a call from someone claiming to represent a company, ask for their name, title, and contact information. Then, independently verify their identity by calling the company's official number or contacting them through their verified email address.
• Be Skeptical of Urgency or Pressure: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure victims into making quick decisions. Take your time to research and verify before providing any sensitive information or making payments. Ask a trusted family member or friend for advice.
• Use Payment Methods with Protection: When making payments or transactions, use secure payment methods that offer buyer protection, such as credit cards or reputable online payment platforms. Do not purchase gift cards!
• Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter a suspicious company or believe you've been targeted by a scam, report it to relevant authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or local consumer protection agencies.
• Add to contacts: Place the numbers for your main financial, government, utility companies into your contacts. Use a unique identifier (Xfinity$, PGS*, IRS#, Bank@ etc. so when the number appears on screen you know it is legitimate. Let others go to voicemail and then check contact details carefully.
• Add your number to the Do Not Call Registry - https://www.donotcall.gov This won't stop all scam calls but should reduce the volume of telemarketing calls.
AARP
AARP is a great resource - they have a comprehensive area covering scams and phishing activity - currently listing examples of around 70 different types of scams https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud.html#frc. Additionally, check out their podcast - The Perfect Scam https://www.aarp.org/podcasts/the-perfect-scam/ which is very educational and great for those who enjoy true crime stories. (transcripts are available on the site). Plus if you want some video “entertainment” the site lists 12 movies about con-artists https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2022/tv-shows-movies-documentaries-about-scams.html
AARP Podcast - The Perfect Scam
https://www.aarp.org/podcasts/the-perfect-scam/
AARP Fraud Watch
https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/about-fraud-watch-network/
https://www.aarp.org/podcasts/the-perfect-scam/
AARP Fraud Watch
https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/about-fraud-watch-network/
AARP Scam Tracking Map
AARP Scamline
1-877-908-3360 – for reporting scams and obtaining help and advice.
1-877-908-3360 – for reporting scams and obtaining help and advice.
Federal Trade Commision (FTC)
How to recognize and avoid phishing scams:
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams
How to recognize and avoid phishing scams:
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams
Internet Theft Resource Center
https://www.idtheftcenter.org
https://www.idtheftcenter.org/post/preventative-tips-on-how-to-protect-your-identity
https://www.idtheftcenter.org
https://www.idtheftcenter.org/post/preventative-tips-on-how-to-protect-your-identity
FBI - Internet Crime Complaints (IC3)
https://www.ic3.gov
https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2022_IC3ElderFraudReport.pdf
https://www.ic3.gov
https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2022_IC3ElderFraudReport.pdf
Department of Justice
https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/elder-fraud-abuse/overview
https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/elder-fraud-abuse/overview
Washington Post Tech Column (subscription required)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/02/17/scam-tips-columnist-50k/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/02/17/scam-tips-columnist-50k/
Other Tech Tips:
Name Drop
WatchOS10
iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch Tips
How to use the Apple keychain to manage passwords
Membership > Member Benefits Membership FAQs Membership Application
Programs > Events Calendar Newsletters Tech Tips
Volunteer > Volunteer Sign-in Volunteer Application Form
Donate Contact
Programs > Events Calendar Newsletters Tech Tips
Volunteer > Volunteer Sign-in Volunteer Application Form
Donate Contact
Local Villages: Mill Valley Novato Ross Valley San Rafael Tiburon Peninsula Twin Cities
Marin Villages is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization • Fed Tax ID# 27-0281669 • 415-457-4633 • info@marinvillages.org •
4340 Redwood Highway, Suite F-142 San Rafael, CA 94903-2121
Marin Villages is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization • Fed Tax ID# 27-0281669 • 415-457-4633 • info@marinvillages.org •
4340 Redwood Highway, Suite F-142 San Rafael, CA 94903-2121
