October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a timely reminder that online safety starts with a few practical habits. AJ Mostafa, Ingleside’s Director of IT Security, says the most important one is simple: “Stop, think, and verify before you click.”
That pause matters as scams become more sophisticated. In 2025, the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported that people age 60 and older collectively lost more than $7.7 billion to fraud. Scammers often create a sense of urgency, impersonate trusted people or organizations, and increasingly use artificial intelligence to make fraudulent messages look polished and personal.
Stop, Think, and Verify Before You Click
“Whether you receive an email, text message, or phone call, don’t rush into clicking a link, sharing personal information, or sending money,” AJ said. “If something seems urgent, unexpected, or too good to be true, take a moment to verify it directly with the person or organization using a trusted phone number. A few seconds of caution can save you from a lifetime of headaches.”
- Pause before acting. Do not let urgency pressure you into clicking a link, opening an attachment, sharing information, or sending money.
- Verify through a trusted channel. Contact the person or organization directly using a phone number or website you already know, not the contact information in the unexpected message.
- Use unique passwords. A different password for each important account helps keep one compromised account from putting others at risk.
- Turn on multifactor authentication. MFA adds another layer of protection even if someone obtains your password.
- Keep devices and software updated. Updates often include security fixes that protect against known threats.
- Be cautious on public networks. Avoid transactions involving sensitive personal or financial information when using an unsecured network.
- Speak up if something happens. Contact your financial institution and law enforcement promptly if you believe you have experienced fraud or a security breach.
Why Today’s Scams Are Harder to Spot
One of the biggest misconceptions about online safety is that a scam will be easy to recognize because it contains spelling errors or comes from a suspicious-looking address. According to AJ, today’s scams can be professionally written and personalized with AI. A message that appears to come from a friend, family member, or trusted organization may still be fraudulent.
Another misconception is that a strong password alone is enough, or that fraud only happens to other people. Effective cybersecurity relies on multiple layers of protection, including unique passwords, multifactor authentication, updated devices, and careful verification of unexpected requests.
That same spirit of caution is encouraged by members of the resident-led Resident Tech Help Program at Ingleside at King Farm. The volunteer team, which helps neighbors with everyday technology needs, earned a 2023 Bronze McKnight’s Excellence in Technology Award in the Senior Living division’s Keep It Super Simple category. The national awards recognize organizations that use technology to improve care and operations. Terry Baker, an Ingleside at King Farm resident and member of the team, offers advice that supports AJ’s guidance: “Be suspicious. Be skeptical of everything you’re offered. Seek confirmation from another source.”
AJ’s bottom line is reassuring: “You don’t have to be a technology expert to protect yourself. A little caution, a healthy dose of skepticism, and taking a moment to verify can make all the difference.”
For more information about Ingleside’s communities, visit us online or contact us today.
Note: If you or someone you love has been scammed, the National Elder Fraud Hotline can help. The free hotline, 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311), guides callers through reporting fraud and finding next steps, and family and friends can call if they suspect fraud.