Watch Out! Scams Targeting Senior Citizens on Social Media
Seniors are increasingly targeted by digital scams on social media and messaging apps. Learn the most common fraud types and how to avoid becoming a victim.
Illustration of digital scams targeting senior citizens on social media
Watch Out! Scams Targeting Senior Citizens on Social Media
Technological progress has benefited many people's daily lives — through smartphones, a wide range of helpful applications, and communication tools. Unfortunately, the ease of sharing information and communicating through social media and messaging apps like WhatsApp has also been exploited by those with fraudulent intent.
Senior citizens are not spared from the reach of digital predators. It is therefore essential that seniors and their families understand the types and methods of fraud circulating online, so they can avoid becoming victims.
Common Types of Scams
The following are several common types of fraud that exploit social media and other digital communication channels.
Online Shopping Scams
In this scheme, the fraudster advertises extraordinary offers on social media or via direct messages — for example, a branded product at a steep discount. When the victim attempts to place an order and sends payment, the scammer pockets the money but never ships the goods. In some cases, the item delivered does not match what was advertised. More seriously, if the victim pays by credit or debit card, the fraudster may use those card details to make further unauthorized withdrawals.
To avoid this type of scam, always shop from websites or applications with a proven and reputable track record. When shopping on a marketplace app (e.g., Tokopedia, Shopee), pay close attention to the seller's ratings and reviews before making a purchase.
Holiday and Travel Scams
This type of scam is often specifically directed at seniors, who generally have more leisure time for travel. Similar to the online shopping scam, it involves offers for suspiciously cheap tour packages, hotel rates, or other appealing deals — but the accommodation or services advertised either do not exist or do not match what was promised.
To avoid this, always book through reputable and well-known websites or apps, or use a travel agent with a verified track record.
Investment Scams
Similar to the shopping scam, a stranger contacts the victim online with a supposedly extraordinary opportunity to invest and earn enticing returns. Do not believe that large sums of money can be earned effortlessly — such offers are almost certainly fraudulent.
Lottery, Prize Draw, and Giveaway Scams
These scams commonly appear in the form of prize or lottery offers from well-known companies. If the victim follows the instructions, they are usually directed to fill out a survey requiring personal data in order to participate and claim the prize. They may also be asked to pay a shipping fee upfront to receive their winnings.
If you receive such a message, inspect carefully whether the social media account or website link provided is the genuine official channel of the company being referenced. Such messages are often scams that impersonate reputable brands, and this can be identified by the use of non-authentic accounts or websites.
Emergency or Disaster Scams
These scams can take various forms, but the core premise of the message received is that an emergency has occurred requiring urgent financial assistance. Common examples include:
- A family member or acquaintance has been in an accident and the hospital requires immediate payment for treatment.
- A family member or acquaintance is stranded out of town, has been robbed, and urgently needs funds for transportation or other expenses.
If you receive such a message, before engaging further with the sender, immediately contact the alleged victim — or someone close to them — directly to verify the situation.
Romance Scams
If you begin a virtual friendship with someone that gradually becomes more intimate or even romantic, despite the relationship existing almost entirely online, exercise caution. If this online acquaintance suddenly has an urgent need to borrow money, it is very likely you are being scammed.
Device Hijacking Scams (Smartphone or Computer)
With so many financial activities now conducted via smartphones and computers — such as online banking and e-wallets like OVO and GoPay — these devices have also become prime targets for fraudsters.
This type of scam is usually somewhat sophisticated and may begin with someone contacting you about a supposed problem with your internet network or device. The individual may claim to be an employee or technician from an internet service provider or telecommunications company, and request that you perform a series of actions on your device — such as clicking a link, downloading a file, or installing an application.
This scam can also occur automatically: while browsing social media, WhatsApp, or other internet content, you may be guided or tempted into clicking a link that inadvertently installs malicious software on your device.
If such malicious software is installed, the fraudster can gain access to your device, take control of it, or steal personally stored data. With that access, they may drain your e-wallet balance or gain entry to your bank accounts.
To avoid this scam, do not readily trust an unsolicited contact instructing you to perform technical steps on your device — unless you were the one who initiated contact with the official provider's helpline due to a genuine problem. Also avoid clicking links associated with the types of offers described above.
Objectives of Digital Fraud
At the most basic level, fraudsters aim to obtain money. However, the path to obtaining that money may involve several stages, each serving as its own objective:
Obtaining Money Directly
This is the most straightforward objective, as the fraudster directly requests money from the victim.
Obtaining Credit/Debit Card or Bank Account Data
The fraudster may construct a scenario that appears legitimate on the surface because it involves a small payment. However, if the victim provides too much card or bank account information during the transaction process, the fraudster gains the opportunity to make further unauthorized withdrawals:
- With debit card data, the fraudster can withdraw funds directly from the victim's account.
- With credit card data, the fraudster can use the account to make purchases for themselves.
- With an account number, ATM PIN, or online banking password, the fraudster can attempt to access and drain the bank account.
Obtaining Personal Identity Data
Fraudsters may construct scenarios to obtain personal data such as place and date of birth, national identity number (NIK/KTP), tax identification number (NPWP), and other personal details. With this information, they can attempt to steal the victim's identity and use it to open loan accounts — from banks, non-bank lending institutions, credit cards, or other financing products — leaving the victim liable for the resulting debt.
Obtaining Access to or Control of Devices
A fraudster may engineer a scenario — either through human interaction or through automated internet traps — to gain access to or control of a victim's smartphone or computer. If the device contains apps or browsing history linked to digital transactions (e-wallets such as OVO or GoPay, or online banking), the fraudster may be able to control those accounts as well.
General Tips to Avoid Scams
It is deeply regrettable that technological innovations so beneficial to everyday life are being misused by irresponsible individuals. However, as members of society in this digital era, there are several general tips we can follow to protect ourselves from online fraud:
- There is no windfall that comes easily to many people. Avoid any offer that is too good to be true, especially when it comes from a source you do not know very well.
- Protect your personal data. Particularly on social media, where people enjoy sharing information about themselves, always consider what is genuinely safe to share publicly or with people you do not know well.
- Be cautious about purely digital friendships. It is safer to build friendships with people you also meet face-to-face, as this makes it much harder for anyone to disguise their identity.
- Shop online with discernment. It is better to purchase from well-established and reputable online companies. Always verify the website address before completing any online transaction and ensure you are using the official URL of the company you intend to transact with.
With this awareness, we hope senior citizens can continue to benefit from the many conveniences available digitally — without falling victim to harmful fraud.
RUKUN Senior Living
Kawasan Darmawan Park
Jl. Babakan Madang No. 99
Sentul Selatan – Bogor 16810
Telp. 021 8795 1525
Facebook: RUKUNSeniorLiving
Instagram: @rukunseniorlivingindonesia
The most common digital scams targeting seniors include online shopping scams, holiday and travel package scams, investment scams, lottery or prize draw scams, emergency or disaster scams, romance scams, and device hijacking scams (smartphone or computer).
Before engaging further with the message sender, immediately contact the alleged victim — or someone close to them — directly to verify the situation. Do not transfer any money before the situation is confirmed.
Inspect carefully whether the social media account name or website URL is the actual official account or domain of the company in question. Fraudsters often use accounts or sites that resemble the official name but are not identical — for example, using slightly different spelling or a different domain extension.
With debit card data, a scammer can make direct cash withdrawals from the victim's bank account. With credit card data, they can make purchases in the victim's name. If bank account numbers, ATM PINs, or online banking passwords are also obtained, the scammer may attempt to drain the victim's bank balance.
Never click links, download files, or install applications at the instruction of an unknown person who contacts you about a device issue — unless you initiated the contact with the official service provider. Additionally, avoid clicking suspicious offer links that appear while browsing social media or messaging apps.