Be Careful with Suspicious Links on Social Media

DIGITAL CRIME | Older adults trained to prevent scams. (Photos/El Comercio de Colorado)

CHASE AND AARP TEACH HOW TO STOP CYBER THEFT

Redacción El Comercio de Colorado Staff

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The financial security of older adults in Colorado faces unprecedented challenges due to the increasing sophistication of digital criminals. As part of Wellderly Week, experts from Chase and AARP Colorado joined forces in a preventive workshop to provide the community with practical tools to identify and neutralize fraud attempts before irreparable losses occur.

Tenga cuidado con los enlaces sospechosos en social media

CHASE| Anthony Cerrone.

AARP| Mark Fetterhoff.

Anthony Cerrone, community manager at Chase, and Mark Fetterhoff from AARP ElderWatch agree that education and early action are the strongest defense against a deception industry that evolves daily with new technologies. Cerrone warns that social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram have become fertile ground for modern scams.

“Users should never click on suspicious links or news that appear on their feed, as these are often the gateway for criminals to take control of their devices or personal accounts,” said Cerrone. The executive shared a personal experience of vulnerability to illustrate that anyone, regardless of age or knowledge, can be a victim if they let their guard down when encountering a link that seems legitimate.

Artificial Intelligence Aids Scammers

The arrival of artificial intelligence has made the landscape even more complicated, allowing scammers to create websites and messages that perfectly mimic the look of well-known banks or retail stores. Cerrone recommends being wary of any message that creates a sense of urgency or requests personal data directly. The golden rule proposed by the Chase executive is simple:

“If something doesn’t feel right or seems too good to be true, it’s better to close the page and contact the bank directly through its official, trusted channels,” emphasizes Cerrone. For his part, Mark Fetterhoff highlights a significant shift in fraud trends in Colorado. Over the past year, business impersonation scams have surpassed identity theft as the main reported concern.

Scam Tactics and the Power of Reporting

In this type of fraud, criminals pretend to be employees of delivery companies like Amazon, UPS, or FedEx, claiming issues with nonexistent deliveries to request payments or financial information. Bank impersonation is also common, with messages warning of supposed account problems to provoke an irrational reaction based on fear of losing savings.

Fetterhoff stresses the vital importance of reporting every incident, even if no money was stolen. Reporting allows authorities and organizations like AARP to track new criminal tactics and alert the rest of the population. ElderWatch encourages citizens to use the helpline 1-800-222-4444 or file a formal complaint with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office.

Be Careful with Suspicious Links on Social Media

Finally, both experts suggest breaking the isolation and social stigma surrounding scams. Sharing these experiences with friends, family, and neighbors helps create a shared protection network that prevents future victims. Prevention is not only about using secure digital tools but also maintaining open communication with your immediate circle and the bank to verify the legitimacy of any financial interaction.