As the digital landscape has evolved, cybercrime has become an increasingly pressing concern for communities across Canada. Cyberattacks, such as identity theft, cost Canadians more than five billion dollars in 2023 (Petrosyan of Statistica, 2024), and cyber threats are disproportionately affecting our municipality’s aged community members.
Detecting the difference between a legitimate service and an online scam requires familiarity with technology many older adults do not possess. Often, the elderly are targeted by cybercriminals due to assumptions about their life savings, willingness to help, lack of sophistication, cognitive decline, and social isolation (US National Council on Aging, 2024).
Therefore, Canada’s municipalities should provide cybersecurity education sessions at local community centers to safeguard seniors against financial loss, identity theft, and associated emotional distress.
RCMP News Release
A 2023 news release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) states that Canadians lost $530 million in the previous year due to fraud; the most vulnerable, such as seniors, were primary targets, highlighting the urgent need for intervention. Recently, Alberta’s Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo’s (RMWB’s) oil and gas industry experienced major financial losses following a cyberattack that cost local businesses “millions of dollars” (Duhatschek of CBC News, 2023).
If sophisticated companies with dedicated technology teams educated on cybersecurity risks can fall prey to threat actors, how can seniors be expected to protect their financial assets without educational support to meet their needs?
Disproportionate Impact
Seniors regularly encounter phone scams, shady social media requests, misleading internet promotions, and other solicitations in complex online attacks designed to steal their identity and part them from their life savings.
The disproportionate impact of identity theft on the elderly, as reported by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) in 2024, underscores the importance of awareness programs. According to the ESDC report, retirement-age adults are targeted because they are home to respond to fraudsters, are generally trusting, are often isolated from family and friends, and are less likely to ask for a second opinion. As a result, the following familiar scenario plays out repeatedly: an elderly individual replies to a scammer’s email, believes the scammer represents a service provider, and agrees to ‘verify their identity’ by sharing Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
Zero-Trust Model
The notion that “you can’t trust anyone” may be a sweeping generalization, but the zero-trust model can be a useful framework for protecting personal identity and assets (Fortinet, n.d.).
(Think of the zero-trust model as a check and balance; it means that whenever someone wants access to our PII, they must prove their identity and permission to access it.)
Providing seniors with educational support will help them apply these ‘trust but verify’ concepts in digital environments to confidently identify fraudulent claims and threats to their PII. Cybersecurity programs can empower older adults to navigate the online threat landscape while protecting their identity and financial assets.
Silent Suffering
Financial abuse perpetuated against seniors leads to negative emotional outcomes, such as persistent feelings of shame. For instance, a 2019 ESDC report revealed an under-reporting of financial abuse by the aged due to feelings of embarrassment. The silent suffering of the elderly impedes gathering evidence and intervening on behalf of victims, worsening an already difficult situation. Unfortunately, the victim’s family members, who risk losing their inheritance, are overlooked secondary stakeholders often left without the information they need to take action and support their loved ones.
Community Centres: Their Critical Role
Some may object that community centres are not ideal for hosting cybersecurity sessions, based on the misconception that senior community members benefit primarily from in-home support. However, a published study funded by the North Dakota Department of Human Services’ Aging Services Division found that many seniors wish to remain engaged as lifelong learners by enrolling in local educational courses (Brunt et al., 2019).
Most study participants were in the age range of 55-70 years old and were evenly divided between rural and urban residents. Technology classes on using cellular phones and computers were popularly cited as being of interest, and older adults expressed a desire for educational activities outside the home.
One study participant plainly stated, “I’m kind of tired of having my 7-year old grandson teach me how to use my computer.” While some elderly residents require in-home support, the vast majority are engaged and active citizens who want to be fully informed and prepared to tackle the cyber challenges they regularly face.
Notably, Brunt et al. found that many retirement-age individuals, often referred to as baby boomers, are deterred from visiting seniors’ centres due to negative perceptions and the stigma associated with aging. However, the study indicated that seniors are likely to show interest in community centre activities that address their needs, concerns, and interests, such as a desire to feel confident they can safely remain connected with friends and family online.
A New Generation of Retirees
A new generation of retirees has emerged with new needs and interests that reflect the rapidly changing digital society Canadians live in. Similar to other provincial mandates, Alberta’s Municipal Government Act (MGA) states that two primary purposes of the province’s municipalities are to create safe and thriving communities and provide its residents with necessary and desirable services (Province of Alberta, 2024). The Mayors and Councilors of Canada’s municipalities should rise to the occasion and protect the financial and emotional well-being of elderly community members.
Delivering cybersecurity education sessions that cater to the needs of senior residents will restore their confidence in online spaces and empower them to participate fully in this exciting but complex and sometimes dangerous digital world.
References
Brunt, A., Strommen, J., & Stangl, C. (2020). Reinventing the Traditional Senior Center in Rural Areas to Attract a New Generation of Individuals. Activities, Adaptation & Aging, 44(2), 89–105. https://doi.org/10.1080/01924788.2019.1581025
Duhatschek, P. (2023, July 6). Suncor swaps out laptops after cybersecurity incident as energy sector takes stock of risks. Canadian Broadcast Corporation. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/suncor-cybersecurity-incident-energy-sector-1.6898118
Employment and Social Development Canada. (2019, August 19). What we heard report: Financial crimes and harms against seniors. Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/national-seniors-council/programs/publications-reports/2019-what-we-heard-financial-crimes-harms.html
Employment and Social Development Canada. (2024, August 27). What every older Canadian should know about: Fraud and scams. Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/seniors-forum-federal-provincial-territorial/fraud-scams.html
Fortinet. (n.d.). Zero trust security model. https://www.fortinet.com/resources/cyberglossary/what-is-the-zero-trust-network-security-model
National Council on Aging. (2024, July 17). What are the top online scams targeting older adults? https://www.ncoa.org/article/what-are-the-top-online-scams-targeting-older-adults
Petrosyan, A. (2024, March 19). Annual cost of cybercrime in Canada 2017-2028. Statistica. https://www.statista.com/forecasts/1457244/canada-cybercrime-cost-annual#statisticContainer
Province of Alberta. (2024, June 21). Municipal Government Act. https://kings-printer.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=m26.cfm&leg_type=Acts&isbncln=9780779848546
Royal Canadian Mounted Police. (2023, February 1). The RCMP, CAFC and OPP raise awareness after an increase in emergency – grandparent scams [News release]. Government of Canada. https://rcmp.ca/en/news/2023/02/rcmp-cafc-and-opp-raise-awareness-after-increase-emergency-grandparent-scams