Data brokers sell your personal info to scammers even without Facebook

New Ways Scammers Target Seniors Without Social Media

“I don’t use Facebook. I don’t even have an email. How could scammers possibly know anything about me?”

That’s the question many people over 60 ask, assuming that by staying off social media and avoiding the internet, they are invisible to fraudsters. However, the truth is, even if you’ve never posted anything online, scammers can still know a lot about you, including your age, home address, relatives’ names, property value, and even personal tragedies you may have experienced. This is because the everyday details of your offline life are quietly being collected, digitized, and sold.

Scammers are taking full advantage of this wealth of information, targeting seniors without them even realizing it. Here are some of the ways they do it:

1. Obituaries: When a loved one passes away, obituaries often list family members, ages, locations, and relationships. Scammers use this information to target vulnerable individuals.

2. Real estate records: Details about property purchases, sales, and mortgage information are public record, giving scammers insight into your financial situation.

3. Probate filings: Information about beneficiaries and assets in probate filings can be used to target heirs with fraudulent schemes.

4. Property tax documents: Publicly available property tax records can reveal your address and financial standing to scammers.

5. Court filings: Details from divorce, bankruptcy, and civil disputes are public by law, providing scammers with personal information.

These sources, when combined, create a detailed portrait of your life that scammers can exploit for their gain.

Protecting Yourself from Scammers and Data Brokers

While you can’t stop public records from existing, there are steps you can take to make it harder for scammers to access and misuse your information:

1. Reduce your digital footprint: Request removal from people search sites and data brokers to prevent your information from being sold to scammers.

2. Stay alert for emotional manipulation: Be cautious if someone contacts you after a loss, verify charities and services before engaging, and never share personal details over the phone or email.

3. Automate data removal: Use a service like Incogni to remove your data from hundreds of brokers and websites, making it harder for scammers to target you.

By limiting the information available online, you reduce the risk of scammers targeting you with emotionally charged scams. Protecting your personal data is crucial in safeguarding your money, identity, and retirement from fraudsters.

Do you believe it’s time for the government and companies to step in and protect your data privacy? Let us know your thoughts.