There are many forms of caring for your loved one: cook a warm meal after a long day, listen to listen when life becomes difficult, and send a check-in text just because you receive the right support in your nursing home. However, as recent events have shown, care should not cease there.
Physical and mental well-being is essential, but protecting your finances and personal information is equally important.
We’ll explain to you some of the steps you can take and some services worth considering to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.
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Protects nursing home residents from cyberattacks and data breaches
Scammers and con artists lack moral compasses, increasingly targeting personal data, particularly nursing homes and residents.
Take the case of Hillcrest nursing homevictims of cyberattacks that have led to data breaches affecting more than 100,000 people. Name, date of birth, Social Security number, patient records, treatment information, insurance details, provider data – all leaked in one incident.
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Good news? If a similar violation occurs, there are things you can do to protect your loved one’s financial and personal data.
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Cyberattacks leverage vulnerable systems and elderly patients
Over half a dozen nursing homes have in the first few months of 2025 alone It has been reported Some form of cyberattack. Experts say older patients are targeted because they are simply simple marks, from limited digital literacy to less likely to monitor their financial or medical accounts regularly.
Plus, there is a nursing home infrastructure that is often outdated and vulnerable, and you have a major target. I will explain as a security advisor to Optiv at Cybersecurity Solutions Company. These centers usually operate on a tight budgetthat is, cybersecurity is not necessarily a top priority. Or it can be done at the level that it should be.
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6 Things You Should Do to Ensure Your Lover is Secure from Cyber Threats and Identity Theft
Cybercriminals are increasingly sophisticated, but with proper precautions you can protect your loved ones from victims of these threats. Here is a guide to six important actions you can take to protect your personal and financial information.
1. Freeze your credit account to prevent fraud
Data breaches usually occur for one reason – economic benefits. This includes often scammers who sell stolen information to scammers and hackers, and hackers who use it for fraudulent activities, such as implementing credit fraud schemes. Many forms of identity theft revolve around credit accounts, so it’s important to take action if your or your loved one’s personal data is public.
One of the most effective ways to prevent credit fraud is to place a security freeze on your credit account. A security freeze prevents anyone from opening a new account, issuing new cards, or performing credit-related activities in your name while the freeze is in place.
If managing this process is overwhelming, consider using identity theft protection services. These services can handle security freeze placement and management on your behalf, saving time and ensuring the process is carried out correctly. Many of these services also provide additional features such as credit monitoring and alerting to help you understand potential threats to your personal information. Taking this step will significantly reduce the risk of identity theft and provide you with the peace of mind that your financial information is safe.
Personal information theft companies can monitor personal information such as social security numbers, phone numbers, and email addresses and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or used to open an account. They can also help freeze bank and credit card accounts to prevent further fraudulent use by criminals. Check out my tips and best choices on how to protect yourself from identity theft.
2. I will issue an invalid warning
A fraud warning is an additional layer of protection for your credit account. Like a credit freeze, it can be set up at all three credit departments.
Activate a fraud alert and notify the station that there may be suspicious activity in your account. As a result, attempts to open new credits or make changes will be considered more carefully.
Equifax: You can place a Online fraud warning Alternatively, call customer support at (888) 298-0045.
Experian:Placement a Online fraud warning Alternatively, contact customer service at (888) 397-3742.
Trans Union: You can place a Online fraud warning Alternatively, call (800) 916-8800.
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3. Sign up for the Data Deletion Service
Now that you have a credit account, it’s worth taking another step, and there’s a wider layer of protection. I’m talking about personal data removal services. These companies specialize in deleting personal information from the Internet. How easy it is for someone to find details such as your name, address, contact information, relatives, etc., you and your loved ones are at a higher risk of fraud and identity theft.
This is especially true for older people, where con artists are often considered easier targets. It’s worth taking this extra step, even for peace of mind. There are many services that tackle this issue. Please see the top picks for data deletion services.
4. Install powerful antivirus software
Install powerful antivirus software to further protect your loved one’s devices and personal information. A powerful antivirus program can help you block malware, spyware, and phishing attempts that can lead to identity theft.
The best way to protect yourself from malicious links to install malware is to install antivirus software on all devices, as it may access your personal information. This protection can also warn you that it will phish email and ransomware fraud and keep your personal information and digital assets safe. Get the best 2025 Antivirus Protection Winners picks for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
5. Check financial statements periodically
Encourage your loved ones to check your bank and credit card statements regularly for suspicious transactions or do that for them. Early detection helps prevent serious economic losses.
6. We will teach you about internet safety
Many seniors fall victim to fraud due to limited digital literacy. Providing basic cybersecurity education, such as phishing email recognition, avoiding suspicious links, and using strong passwords can significantly reduce the risk of targeting. Consider using Password Manager Generate and store complex passwords. Get my details Find the best expert reviewed password managers of 2025 here.
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Don’t forget that protecting your loved one from cyber threats and identity theft is an ongoing process. It’s not just about taking a few steps and forgetting it. It’s about continuing to update your strategy as new threats emerge. Combining these measures, such as freezing your credit account, can use fraud alerts, remove personal data from the internet, install powerful antivirus software, review financial statements regularly, and educate your internet safety, greatly reducing the risk of identity theft and providing peace of mind for both you and your loved ones.
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