Safeguarding Older Adults in the Digital Age: A call for cybersecurity awareness

financialexpress.com:

Japan recently announced that it is considering a proposal to take away bank cards from those over 65 to take a stab at reducing financial scams that their older population is currently grappling with. In today’s rapidly-evolving digital landscape, it’s all too easy to underestimate the profound impact of cyber threats on our lives. Many of us operate under the assumption that we are safe and well-informed, immune to the dangers that seem distant and abstract. But it’s when these perils strike close to home that their seriousness truly comes to light. I’m not referring to another wave of a virus, but rather the insidious realm of Cyber Fraud.

I was jolted into understanding the gravity of these crimes when it hit close to home – affecting none other than my own octogenarian father, a veteran soldier. This personal experience served as a stark lesson, teaching us that even the most informed and vigilant individuals can be ensnared by cybercriminals if not cautious enough.

As the world experiences escalating digitization, and the aftermath of the pandemic propels more seniors into the online realm, a troubling surge in cybercrimes targeting older adults has emerged. The once reassuring virtual space has become a breeding ground for financial scams through deceptive phone calls, fraudulent texts on social media, and other cunning tactics. It’s not uncommon nowadays to hear stories from within our own circles of family and friends about those who have fallen victim to these malicious acts. Astonishingly, in 2021 alone, the Lok Sabha documented a staggering 52,974 instances of cybercrime in India. The situation has only worsened, with the government’s Cyber Crime portal (cybercrime.gov.in) now registering an alarming 3,500