Email Safety for Seniors: How to Spot and Stop Scams Fast
How to Spot and Stop Scams Fast
Helping elderly family members reduce spam mail, political texts, and email spam is a smart move—not only does it declutter their lives, but it also protects them from scams and fraud.
Here’s a breakdown of what you can do, organized by type of spam:
1. Stop Junk Mail (Postal Mail)
Steps to Take:
Register with DMAchoice.org
This service from the Direct Marketing Association lets you opt out of junk mail for 10 years.
Website: https://www.dmachoice.org
Cost: $4 one-time fee.
Opt Out of Credit Card & Insurance Offers
Visit OptOutPrescreen.com or call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT
You can opt out for 5 years or permanently.
Contact Catalog Companies Directly
Look for a customer service number or email in the catalog and request to be removed.
Use a Mail Interceptor Service (Optional)
Services like PaperKarma (paid app) let you snap photos of unwanted mail and request removal.
2. Stop Political Texts and Robocalls
Steps to Take:
Forward Spam Texts to 7726 (SPAM)
Forward any unwanted or suspicious text to 7726, which helps your carrier block the sender.
Block Numbers on Their Phone
On iPhone: Tap the number, scroll down, and tap Block this Caller.
On Android: Tap and hold the message → Block/report spam.
Register on the National Do Not Call Registry
Reduces telemarketing calls (not political calls, but still helpful).
Reply “STOP” to Campaign Texts
If the text is legitimate (e.g., from a political campaign), replying STOP will often remove them.
Install Call Blocking Apps
Consider apps like Hiya, Truecaller, or Robokiller to block robocalls and scam numbers.
3. Stop Email Spam
Steps to Take:
Mark Spam Emails as Spam
Don’t just delete them—use the Report Spam button so the provider learns to block similar emails.
Unsubscribe from Legitimate Mailing Lists
Scroll to the bottom of the email and click “Unsubscribe.” Only do this for trusted sources.
Create Email Filters
In Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook, you can set rules to filter out certain senders or keywords.
Avoid Signing Up for Free Offers or Giveaways
These often result in an inbox full of junk. Use a second email address for signups if necessary.
Use a Spam Filter Tool
Consider services like Clean Email, SpamDrain, or Unroll.me to manage inbox clutter.
Bonus: General Tips for Protecting Seniors from Spam & Scams, Email Safety for Seniors:
How to Spot and Stop Scams Fast
Talk Openly About Scams
Remind them never to give personal info over the phone or via email unless 100% sure it’s legitimate.
Check Their Devices Periodically
Review their email and phone settings together to ensure filters and blockers are working.
Set Up a Trusted Contact List
Help them create a contacts list so they can easily ignore unknown senders.
