Parents have life experience, which is why younger people often turn to them for advice and wisdom on life's greatest challenges. While parents will teach their young many lessons about life, love and becoming a model adult, there are still some things that they can learn—like cybersecurity. 

According to a 2024 report from Statista, people aged 60 and older accounted for the highest number of reported cybercrime victims. Similar trends have been on the rise in South Africa, often due to a lack of technical knowledge, unfamiliarity with online platforms, or simply having a more trusting nature. 

How can you help them? Start by sharing the knowledge you've gained from years of internet experience. Or, you can direct them to this article, which covers everything they need to know about common cybercrimes and how to avoid falling victim. 

Phishing: Don’t Take The Bait 

Phishing is the most common type of cybercrime. Cybercriminals target unsuspecting victims through emails, SMS, and web page hijacking to steal private and sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and banking details. 

These methods use various tactics, such as creating fake links that appear legitimate and crafting messages that either raise concern (like notifying the victim of suspicious activity on their accounts) or create excitement (like the “you have won” emails in your spam folder). The aim is to trick victims into sharing their personal information to claim a prize or resolve a fabricated issue. 

Learn to outsmart phishing scams by following this advice. 

Vishing: Don’t Take That Call 

Vishing falls under the phishing banner, but it deserves its own spotlight because it’s combatted differently. Unlike phishing, which uses emails and messages, vishing targets victims through voice calls. 

These calls often come from an automated voice recording or use text-to-speech technology, prompting the potential victim to be transferred to a human representative. While this method may seem outdated, people are generally more trusting of voice calls than messages or emails. It’s also harder to recognise a threat during a conversation compared to reading a message, especially if you’ve learned a thing or two about phishing. 

Police Scams: You Call The Cops, They Don’t Call You 

What’s more convincing than a call from someone claiming you’re being defrauded or have inherited a million dollars from a long-lost (and unknown) relative? A call from the police, claiming you’ve committed a crime and are about to face court time because of it. 

Police scams are a real threat and are a modern twist on an old scam. In this version, a "policeman" contacts the victim, claiming they have an outstanding charge but can make it disappear for a nominal fee. The problem? The officer is fake, and the charges don’t exist. Mobile phones make this scam even easier to execute, as the criminal doesn’t need to dress the part—they just need to use a convincing tone and adept social engineering skills. 

Learn how to outsmart fake police scams. 

Social Media Scams: Don’t Like Every Post You See 

Social media is for everyone, and these days, even senior citizens are sharing galleries on Instagram and liking posts on Facebook. But it can also be a risky place, especially when it comes to personal information, login details, and financial security. 

People are often coaxed into sharing sensitive information through what seems harmless fun on social media. Alternatively, social engineering is another tactic used to trick individuals into divulging their details. 

Become more safety savvy on social media with these tip.  

Facebook Marketplace Fraud: Be Careful Who You Pay 

Facebook Marketplace has become one of the most popular platforms for buying and selling items online. However, like other peer-to-peer platforms, there’s a significant risk of being scammed into paying for something that doesn’t exist. 

Scammers have turned swindling people on this platform into a career, and if you're not careful, you could easily become their next victim.  

Here’s how you can outsmart Facebook Marketplace scammers.  

For more in-depth tips on cybercrime and outsmarting online scammers, check out this cybercrime defence PDF. Also educate yourself further by visiting out fraud section for more content.