Selling items online can be a fantastic way to declutter your home and earn a little extra cash. But lurking in the shadows of popular platforms like Facebook Marketplace are scammers waiting to take advantage of unsuspecting sellers.

Have you ever sold something online, only to find that the buyer seems a little too eager? For example, you’ve just listed an item on Facebook Marketplace, and within minutes, someone offers to pay full price—no questions asked. It feels too good to be true, doesn’t it? That’s because it probably is.

You’re setting into your new home and your mailbox starts overflowing with letters that look urgent. Some claim you need to act fast to lower your mortgage payment, others offer deals too good to be true, and a few might even look like they’re from the government.

It’s overwhelming!

While most of these are junk mail (which are harmless, albeit annoying), some are scams crafted to take advantage of homeowners.

Scammers are always evolving their tactics, but the core of their schemes remains the same: to exploit trust and confusion. New homeowners are targeted, by scams like fake mortgage insurance, deed fraud, and phishing.

Ever received a random text like “Are you alive?” or “Hi, how are you?” These messages test if your number is active. Replying confirms this, leading to a flood of scam texts for months—annoying and risky.

These texts can also kick off phishing schemes (tricking you into sharing personal info) or attempts to infect your device with malware (harmful software). Worse, scammers may gain your trust through friendly chats, eventually pushing fake cryptocurrency “investments.” They show fake “profits” to lure you into investing more before disappearing with your money.

These scams play on kindness, curiosity, and loneliness. Protect yourself: even if it feels rude, don’t reply to unknown texts and block the sender.

Older adults are often targeted by scammers due to the perception that they have more savings and may not recognize online risks. But don’t worry—staying safe is possible with a few practical tips. This guide will cover why seniors are targeted, common scams to watch out for, and actionable steps to protect yourself online.

Have you seen ads for Temu and wondered if it’s too good to be true?

The platform itself is not a scam, but shopping on Temu has risks, especially when it comes to data privacy, product quality, and scams. This article walks through the risks and how to shop safely if you choose to use Temu.

Scam phone calls. We’ve all had them and they’re on the rise.

The phone rings, and the screen says "Scam Likely" or an unfamiliar number. These calls can be annoying and even worse, dangerous.

The good news is, there are tools and tips to help you stop and block these scam calls. Regardless of your phone maker or carrier, the setup is simple and it’s something you can do for your phone, as well as an elderly loved ones phone (with their permission!) - so they stop accidentally picking up scam likely calls.

Have you ever picked up your phone and heard a strange voice claiming to be from the government, your bank, or even a grandchild in trouble? If so, you’re not alone. Scammers are getting craftier every day, and their phone tricks target people of all ages—but seniors often find themselves especially vulnerable.

The internet makes life easier, but it also comes with risks. Hackers, viruses, and scams are everywhere. Knowing how to spot threats and safeguard your devices is the first step to staying protected.

The good news?

You don’t need to be a tech wizard to stay safe. This guide explains the basics of cybersecurity in simple, clear terms so you can protect yourself online with confidence.

Imagine this: your phone rings. You answer, and the first thing you hear is the sound of someone crying on the other end. Then a voice demands money, often immediately.

As a nonprofit who works to help older adults stay safe online, we’ve seen how scammers are constantly adapting their tactics. One of the more alarming scams we’ve seen recently is the “crying phone call scams”.

We’ve all been there: a call from an unfamiliar number pops up on your phone, and you hesitate. Is it something important or just another scammer trying to trick you? How do you tell the difference between a legitimate call and a sneaky scam? In this blog post, we’ll break down the tricks scammers use and show you how to spot the red flags.