PERSPECTIVES FROM THE CAMPUS
One of the strengths of Indiana is that we bring together a variety of perspectives from the plethora of areas that touch the field of cyber, especially through the colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher education throughout our state. Hence the name, “Perspectives from the Campus”, we invite experts – immersed in the pursuit of educating their students – to offer their knowledge for finding solutions in cybersecurity that benefit all Hoosiers.
In the latest installment of this series, David Dungan, who serves as the executive director at the Center for Security Services and Cyber Defense at Anderson University, shares his perspective on the cybersecurity threats faced by older Americans and the steps they can take to protect themselves when it comes to avoiding online scams.
By David Dungan
From managing retirement savings to staying connected with family, older Americans are more active online than ever before. However, this increased connectivity has made them a prime target for cybercriminals.
Scammers often view older adults as easier victims, using convincing emails, fake websites, and phone calls to steal money and personal information. Many of these scams are carefully designed to appear legitimate, making them difficult to recognize at first glance.
In 2025, Older Americans (aged 60 and older) filed 201,266 fraud complaints totaling $7.75 billion in losses, according to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3) – an increase of nearly 37 percent from the previous year. Investment scams resulted in the highest financial losses, often luring victims with promises of high returns and little risk. At the same time, phishing and spoofing remain the most common methods used by scammers, typically carried out through emails, phone calls, or text messages that appear to come from trusted sources.
Despite these growing threats, there are practical steps older adults can take to protect themselves online. Staying cautious, informed, and proactive is essential. Some of the most important habits include:
- Be cautious and avoid unsolicited messages, especially those asking for personal or financial information.
- Verify before trusting, by contacting companies or individuals through trusted communication.
- Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication to better secure accounts.
- Monitor your finances, the first sign of trouble could be an unauthorized account or transaction.
- Ensure secure purchases, research unfamiliar business and avoid inputting card data into untrusted websites.
In addition to these steps, it’s important to take the time to slow down and think before responding to unexpected requests, as it can make a major difference. Scammers often rely on urgent or emotionally appealing language to trick individuals into acting quickly, so pausing to evaluate the situation can help in protecting you and, in doing so, decrease the likelihood of making costly mistakes. Talking through suspicious situations with trusted friends or family members is also a good idea and can provide a helpful perspective.
Here in Indiana, if you suspect you’ve been the victim of identity theft, you can visit the Report a Cyber Incident page on the Indiana Cybersecurity Hub and there you’ll find the steps you can take to file a complaint and begin the process of recovering from any potential loss.
By staying aware of common scam tactics and practicing simple safety habits, older adults can significantly reduce their risk of falling victim to fraud. While cyber threats continue to evolve, both in terms of their sophistication and frequency, it’s vital to always use a cautious and informed approach which, in turn, can help in staying safe and confident whenever you’re online.