SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY
Most of our community members are now using social media. As of 2019, nearly 66% of Americans over 65 were Internet users, according to a Pew Research Center survey. That number is getting bigger all the time, and for good reason. The Internet is a great way to read the latest news, stay in touch with family, get medical information and manage appointments, renew prescriptions, and access medical records. It’s how many of us shop and bank without leaving our homes. For an increasing number of seniors, it’s a way to stay in the workforce and even launch a new career or business. And some seniors are going online to make new friends and to find romantic partners through online dating.
The reasons seniors go online are as varied as the users themselves and include:
Participating in social and cultural activities
Keeping in touch with loved ones
Meeting new friends or romantic partners
Online banking, shopping and investing
Making travel arrangements
Getting medical advice and information including doctor reports and test results
Sharing and viewing pictures
Exploring and sharing political views
And much more
Like all powerful tools, the Internet and mobile technologies come with some risks. These risks can be managed as long as you follow some basic rules of the road. So, for all the great things we cover in this guide, here are some precautions to help keep you safe.
Use strong and unique passwords and never share your passwords with anyone:
Unless you’ve designated someone you trust to manage your accounts. One reason for this precaution is to prevent someone from using your account to impersonate you — perhaps asking your friends and family to “help you out” by wiring “you” money in an “emergency,” which is a common scam.
Make sure your passwords are long:
Use at least eight characters — and include numbers, upper and lowercase letters and symbols; avoid using names or dictionary words. At ConnectSafely.org/passwords, you’ll find tips and information on how to use multi-factor authentication and fingerprint recognition for more advanced security.
Use privacy settings:
Most services have settings that let you control who can see what you post. Facebook, for example, has extensive controls, letting you post to only friends, your friends and their friends, or everyone on Facebook. You can also limit specific posts to a smaller group like only family members or specific people. Some services give you a choice between private and public posts, with private going just to people you designate. Before posting to any service, it’s good to get to know its privacy policies and settings. There are also privacy settings for smartphones that can restrict who has access to your location, contacts, and other personal information.
Think before your post:
Whether it’s a picture, video, or comment, what you post and what you share is a reflection on you. Make sure you feel good about being associated with anything you say online and be sure not to post anything that you wouldn’t want to share with the world. Even if you’re using privacy settings to limit the audience, there is always a chance that what you post can be copied and shared by others.
Dealing with “spam” or unsolicited email can be challenging:
It’s pretty common to be plagued by junk email. Simply getting these messages isn’t necessarily dangerous, but it can be annoying. In some cases they can be from companies you’ve interacted with in the past and, if they are legitimate companies, there is probably a link to a page where you can safely ask to be removed from their list. But if they are truly “spammers,” they won’t stop, even if you ask them to. The best thing to do is make sure you’re using whatever spam filter is provided by your email service. Visit ConnectSafely.org/seniors for information on how to use the spam filters on popular Web-based email services like Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Comcast, Outlook and AOL. Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited email, as there is a chance they could link to sites designed to scam people or infect computers with malicious software.
Report abuse from anyone, including friends, family and caregivers:
We hear a lot about children being “cyberbullied,” but it also happens to adults, including seniors. If you are getting messages on social media or in email that are threatening, mean, extremely angry, accusatory or in any way abusive, don’t respond; reach out for help and support from someone you trust or from adult protective services or law enforcement, and report the behavior to the site or service. All major social media companies, and online and mobile service providers have employees that respond to abuse complaints. ConnectSafely has links to abuse and privacy pages for major social networking and Internet and mobile service companies.
Personal emergency scam:
Scammers email or post social media messages that appear to be from someone you know saying they are in distress, such as having their wallet stolen or having been arrested. If you get such a message, find another way to verify if it’s true, such as reaching out directly to the person. If you get such a message from a friend, there is a good chance that their account was hacked and that it’s a criminal who is out to steal your money.
You owe money scam:
Be wary of emails that claim you owe money. If you hear from a bill collector or a government agency about money “owed” by you or a family member, don’t respond unless you are certain it’s legitimate. It’s pretty common for scammers to send “bills” to people who don’t actually owe them money.
Online dating scam:
Many people have found love via dating websites, but others have been scammed out of money by online con artists. For tips on safe online dating and a list of red flags, see “Meeting new friends and romantic partners.”
Infected computer scam:
You might get a call from “Microsoft,” saying your computer is infected or vulnerable to hacking, with an offer to fix it for you. Hang up. Microsoft and other reputable companies never make these calls. These are criminals trying to steal your money and plant viruses on your machine. Also be suspicious of any messages in email or that pop-up on your computer, in your Web browser or on a mobile app warning you of a virus or a security risk. If you have reason to suspect that your device is at risk, consult a trusted expert but never download software or apps that you aren’t certain come from legitimate sources.
Speak out and don’t be ashamed if you’re victimized:
Criminals are very good at what they do and there have been lots of very smart people who have been victimized online. If it happens to you, report it to a trusted person and, if appropriate, law enforcement. Even if you let your guard down, it’s not your fault if something bad happened to you.
Meeting new friends and romantic partners:
The Internet is a great place to meet people, whether it’s someone who shares your passion for an activity or cause, or a potential romantic partner. There are many online groups and forums where people with similar interests meet and that sometimes leads to getting together for all sorts of activities ranging from walks and bike rides to meetings to discuss issues or political candidates.
Online dating is also very popular with seniors and many have met great people via online dating sites, leading to friendships, romantic relationships and sometimes marriage. If you do arrange an in-person meeting with someone you meet online, make sure the first meeting is in a public place, like a restaurant, and bring a friend or at least let others know where you’re going to be. Bring along your cell phone and have a friend call you during the meeting just to make sure all is going well.
It is the unrelentless mission of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Police Department to continually explore solutions to solve, prevent, deter, and respond to crimes and or problems that creates or enhances the commission of crimes with the partnership of the community for the safety and welfare of our community.
IN CASES OF EMERGENCY, PLEASE DIAL 911.
We must stress the importance of calling 911. A 911 dispatcher will send an officer to the address of the emergency; they will also ask questions to assist the officer prior to arrival. The dispatcher may also contact other services that are needed such as medical assistance, fire assistance, or additional police personnel.
Non-emergency dispatch number:
(775)323-2677
Please call this number if you have a non-emergency need to speak to an officer or non-emergency officer assistance.
RSIC TRIBAL POLICE BUSINESS OFFICE
(775)785-8776
This number is to be used to conduct administrative business with the police department, such as leaving messages for police staff, information requests, general questions, or other police business related matters. The police administrative office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm.
HUNGRY VALLEY SUB-STATION.
(775)785-1365
This number is to be used to conduct administrative business with the police department, such as leaving messages for police staff, information requests, general questions, or other police business related matters. Officers use the sub-station for briefings, writing reports and telephone calls.
PARA EMERGENCIA, LLAMA 911 PARA LA OFICINA, LLAMA (775)785-8776