Senior Cyber Safety Cheat Sheet

✅ If You See This → Do This

You See This...	Do This...
Email saying your account is "suspended"	Don't click any links. Call the bank directly using the number on your card.
Phone call saying "This is the IRS"	Hang up. The IRS will NEVER call you first.
Text about a "package delivery" you didn't order	Don't click the link. Check tracking directly on the carrier's website.
Email with lots of typos and strange grammar	Delete it. Legitimate companies proofread their emails.
Someone asking you to buy gift cards	It's a scam. No legitimate company asks for gift cards.
Pop-up saying "Your computer is infected!"	Don't call the number. Close the browser. Restart your computer.
A "friend" emails asking for money	Call them directly. Their email was probably hacked.
Anyone asking for your password	NEVER give your password to anyone, even tech support.

📧 How to Spot a Fake Email

Quick Check: Hover over the sender's name to see the real email address. If it looks weird, it IS weird.

Check the sender's address — "support@amaz0n-security.com" is NOT Amazon
Look for typos — Real companies don't send emails with spelling mistakes
Don't trust the display name — "Bank of America" can hide "scammer123@gmail.com"
Hover before clicking — Put your mouse over any link (DON'T click). Look at the address at the bottom of your screen.
Check for urgency — "Act now or your account will be closed!" is almost always a scam

📱 Phone & Text Scam Red Flags

Someone claims to be from Social Security, the IRS, or Medicare → It's a scam. They don't call you.
"Your grandchild is in trouble and needs money" → Call your grandchild directly.
"We're from Microsoft/Apple and your computer has a virus" → Microsoft and Apple don't call you.
"You've won a prize, just pay shipping" → You didn't win anything. They want your card number.
A text with a link you didn't expect → Don't click it.

🔒 Password Rules That Work

Make it long — 12+ characters. A sentence works great: "MyDogLovesToPlayFetch!"
Make it different — Use a different password for every account. Write them in a notebook.
Never share it — No legitimate company will ever ask for your password.
Change it if you're suspicious — If something feels off, change your password right away.

🆘 What to Do If You've Been Scammed

Don't panic. You're not alone. Millions of people get scammed every year.
Call your bank. Use the number on the back of your card.
Change your passwords. Especially email and bank passwords.
Report it (see phone numbers below)
Tell someone you trust. Don't be embarrassed — scammers are professionals.

📞 Important Phone Numbers

Who to Call	Number
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)	1-877-382-4357
Social Security Fraud Hotline	1-800-269-0271
Medicare Fraud Hotline	1-800-633-4227
Identity Theft Resource Center	1-888-439-4398
AARP Fraud Watch Network	1-877-908-3360
CC Family Support	(209) 423-6633

It's okay to be suspicious.
It's okay to ask for help.
It's okay to hang up.
You are never bothering anyone by asking questions. That's what family does.