By Rick Waechter, Founder

If you are, ahem, of a certain age, I have bad news … in case you didn’t already know. It’s nothing to do with your physical or mental health, or the difficulty of getting a new job if you’re looking, or the slowly accelerating flow of friends who pass away.

It’s about your online health. The bad news: you are walking around with a very large bullseye on your back. For scammers, you are the juiciest target. The honey pot. The easy mark. And too many of you don’t know it.

The reason you’re the prime target: on average, you have more money, and on average, you’re less careful online.

We see this all the time. Our older clients are more likely to email us with account numbers or unprotected files that have Social Security numbers.

I urge you, today, to take four easy steps to protect yourself.

1. Get a password manager and use it to create complex passwords. There are many good password managers you can buy for a small annual fee. They are easy to use. You won’t have to keep a paper list of passwords. You’ll not think twice about creating complex passwords (which the system will do for you) or changing your passwords regularly.
2. Use 2-factor authentication for any sensitive accounts. That includes anything with money (bank and brokerage accounts) or sensitive info (tax returns, etc.). Virtually every account you have is set up to allow 2FA. Use it.
3. Don’t reply to texts from people you don’t know. (And, while we’re on the subject, don’t respond to emails or calls unless you know the person. Be equally cautious on social media.) The scams to coax seniors into parting with their money, whether “pig-butchering”, romance, manufactured family emergency, or other are increasingly common – and there is no way to get your money back. Every day, I get at least one text or social media connection request that is likely from a scammer.
4. Get an IP PIN for tax filing. This is a secure ID, updated annually, which you must provide to file taxes online. It avoids someone getting your Social Security number, filing a fraudulent return and getting a “refund”.

This is all such a hassle. It’s so much easier to do things the way you have in the past. I know. I feel that way too. But when you must spend hours regaining access to an account after a hack or arguing with your bank or the IRS for a refund when you have had money stolen, you’ll regret it.

If you need help setting anything up, ask a younger relative or trusted friend. They’re probably very happy to help.