In 2024 Victorian seniors lost more than $27 million to scams.
The Federal Government's ScamWatch website says people aged 55 and over reported more than 22,000 scams, mostly online.
Investment, unexpected prizes, romance, inheritances and promises of rebates are common ways to trick people out of money or to steal their identity.
Corangamite Shire Council is encouraging older residents to come to the Killara Centre in Camperdown and learn how to stay safe online.
Alan Best and Alex Walder from GBM Technology will give expert advice at five free monthly sessions.
The "Being Safe Online" sessions and will cover issues around emails, cyber security, etc as a starting point.
"This is an opportunity for people to come along and have their burning IT questions answered," Alan said.
"Bills are moving away from paper so you have to be online to do something crucial every day
"People rely on Internet banking. You can go to a fake website and put in your details. That's pretty common."
"There was a period where once a week we'd have someone in who had lost money, was losing money or had someone on their computer."
Alan said the sessions would cover
- How to tell is an email is real;
- checking website links;
- screening emails and text messages;
- knowing what to do if you're getting targeted; and more
All sessions are FREE with tea & coffee provided. To book your place, please call Corangamite Shire's Positive Ageing & Inclusion Team on 5593 7100.
Where: Killara Centre, 210-212 Manifold Street, Camperdown
When: 10-11.30am on
- Thursday 13 February
- Thursday 13 March
- Wednesday 16 April
- Tuesday 20 May
- Wednesday 18 June
