Cybersecurity

With so much of our lives happening online—whether for work, social connections, shopping or entertainment—cybercriminals have myriad ways to steal money and sensitive information. When you factor in the many devices we wear (smartwatches, anyone?) or that are in our homes linked to the internet, the opportunities grow.
 
How It Works•
Unsolicited emails, text messages, posts on social media platforms, online ads, pop-up messages—these are all the domain of cybercriminals and their attempts to “socially engineer” us.•Whether it’s a “problem” with a financial or retail account, a way to tap into “free” money, or another emotion-arousing message, the goal is to get us to take quick action—click on the link, or call the number provided.•That quick action can lead us to logging into copycat sites to expose our credentials or payment details or downloading malicious software.•With the “internet of things,” our connected devices are at risk for cyberhacks given universal default password settings, unsecure communications between devices, and security updates from manufacturers that aren’t timely or just don’t occur.
What You Should Know•
The hallmark of most online social-engineering scams involves 1) an unexpected communication that 2) yields a highly emotional response and 3) involves urgency. When these three elements are seen together, don’t engage—or if you do and realize it, quickly cut off contact.•Recognize that connected devices typically do not come with secure defaults, which leaves them open to a third-party intercepting or exposing your sensitive data.
What You Should Do•
Create strong and unique passwords for all online accounts and devices. Where possible, use biometrics such as fingerprints or facial recognition.•Where available, turn on multi-‍factor authentication, which is a second way beyond your username and password to verify it’s you accessing your account or device.•Where available, set up your devices and software to update automatically; quite often the updates are to shut down known security vulnerabilities.•Avoid clicking on links from emails and texts and on online ads. Type web addresses into your browser to ensure you aren’t sent to a copycat site, and only visit sites you know and trust.•For any troubling communication from your financial institution, a retailer you do business with, or a family member or friend, don’t interact. Instead, cut off communication and reach the entity or the person using the way you typically interact with them.
 Reprinted from AARP

November is Eyecare Month

Beware of Dr. Chatbot: Generative AI Often Gives Unreliable, Biased Medical Advice

New study shows patients shouldn’t put their full trust in the current state of general purpose artificial intelligence

SAN FRANCISCO  A group of ophthalmologists assessed the utility of the most popular generative artificial intelligence (AI) programs  – ChatGPT, Google Bard, and Bing Chat – as an educational resource for patients with eye conditions and disesases. They found that a majority of responses from all three tools were inaccurate, and that two of the three chatbots demonstrated a significant bias against female ophthalmologists. The authors caution that these models are not fine-tuned to provide accurate eye health information. They fear the inaccuracies may further delay treatment, putting their patients at increased risk for vision loss. The study will be presented this week at AAO 2023, the 127th annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Researchers from the University of Southern California asked three practicing ophthalmologists to compare the ability of these programs to answer common patient questions and create educational resources, as well as recommend ophthalmologists practicing in the 20 largest cities in the United States. The ophthalmologist evaluated the  information on a scale of 1 to 4.

Google Bard scored the highest for quality and accuracy of responses to patient questions, with an average rating of 2.3 out of 4. ChatGPT had the highest rating for patient educational resources, 3 out of 4.

All three chatbots struggled when asked to recommend practicing ophthalmologists or to accurately locate ophthalmologists in or near a specific city. Google Bard and Bing Chat recommended female ophthalmologists less than 2 percent of the time, even though 27 percent of the nation’s ophthalmologists are women.

“Given the substantial bias and inaccuracy demonstrated in this study, we warn against reliance on AI chatbots when seeking health-related information until improvements in algorithms are achieved and validated in the future,” said researcher Michael Oca, BS of the University of California, San Diego. “A poor recommendation from a chatbot could further delay a patient’s treatment.”

For accurate, ophthalmologist-vetted information online, the Academy offers www.EyeSmart.org as a public resource.

“Relying on online tools for quick advice may be tempting, but we urge the public to remember that this is not a replacement for a comprehensive eye exam with an ophthalmologist. Seeing a medical doctor for preventative exams and examining any sudden change in vision is the best way to protect your eye health,” said senior author Sandy Zhang-Nunes, MD, associate professor of clinical ophthalmology, and director of oculofacial plastic surgery at the University of Southern California.

About the American Academy of Ophthalmology

The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of 32,000 medical doctors, we protect sight and empower lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for our patients and the public. We innovate and support research to advance our profession and to ensure the delivery of the highest-quality eye care. Our EyeSmart® program provides the public with the most trusted information about eye health. For more information, visit aao.org.

Fraud Targeting the Military Community

Despite their service to our country, current and former military service members are preyed upon by shameless criminals who seek to steal their money, their identity, and the benefits they’ve earned.
 
Not only are they targeted more often than civilians, but veterans, active-duty service members and their families are 40% more likely to lose money to fraud, according to an AARP Survey.
 
These attacks against our nation’s heroes continue to climb at an alarming rate. The Federal Trade Commission saw a 75% increase in fraud reports by the military community from 2021 to 2022 with $414 million in reported losses.
 
Here’s what to know to help combat fraud against veterans.
How It Works•
Phone calls, emails or text messages from “officials” with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may seek sensitive personal information to update records or to apply for health services, such as through the new PACT Act.•Offers for “free” or discounted devices for veterans abound in ads, by email, text and online.•Investment “advisers” approach veterans with promises to help grow retirement funds or obtain extra benefits from the VA.•Service members needing quick cash may be approached with offers to buy out future disability or pension benefits with a lump-sum payment.
What You Should Know•
The VA will never contact you out of the blue and ask for sensitive personal information or require payment upfront in exchange for health or other services.•The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. Scammers are misleading veterans into “applying” through them for a fee. To learn more, visit VA.gov/PACT or call 800-‍698-‍2411.•”Free” medical devices aren’t free—not only will you receive nothing or an inferior version of what was offered, but the VA will be overbilled for the device.•Anyone can claim to be a financial adviser. Always check them out at brokercheck.finra.org.•Any offer for payment upfront for future benefits will likely be pennies on the dollar.
What You Should Do•
If someone contacts you claiming to be from the VA and requests personal information, hang up and contact the VA directly at 800-‍827-‍1000.•Ignore unsolicited offers related to your VA benefits. Use VA-accredited representatives to help you instead. The VA maintains a searchable database of attorneys, claims agents and veterans service organizations.•Stay on top of veterans scams. 
AARP’s Veterans Fraud Center is an online hub with information on the latest scams targeting the military community, tips for spotting other types of consumer fraud, and specially-tailored resources to help protect veterans and military families.

How to Stop Medicare Fraud

Medicare Fraud: Shut It Down
The best way to stop Medicare fraud? Help prevent it in the first place. Follow these 3 tips to protect yourself from scammers:
 If you get a call, text or email asking for your Medicare Number, don’t respond. Don’t give your Medicare card or Medicare Number to anyone except your doctor or people you know should have it. Remember, Medicare will never call you unprompted and ask you for your personal information.
Check your Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) or claims statements carefully. If you see a charge for a service you didn’t get or a product you didn’t order (like a COVID-19 over-the-counter test), it may be fraud.
If you suspect fraud, report it at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Visit Medicare.gov, the official source for Medicare information, to learn more about preventing Medicare fraud.

Medicare Season is Scam Season

Fr‍om Oct‍ober 1‍5 to Dece‍mber ‍7 each year, Medicare’s open enrollment period allows beneficiaries to evaluate their healthcare coverage and make changes for the upcoming year.
 
Unfortunately, this also means a spike in Medicare scams, as criminals exploit the heightened public attention and target beneficiaries who may feel overwhelmed with their healthcare choices.
 
If you or a loved one are on Medicare, here are some tips to help you avoid scams during this open enrollment season.
How It Works•
You receive a call, text, email, or an in-person visit from someone posing as a “Medicare” agent or insurance provider.•You may be urged to act quickly to avoid losing your benefits, pressured to purchase a limited-time offer that promises to save you thousands of dollars or enticed with a free gift.•Or you could be told that Medicare is issuing new cards and needs to verify your information.•They may request sensitive information, such as your Medicare and Social Security numbers or bank and credit card information.
What You Should Know•
Criminals often use caller ID spoofing to make a call appear as coming from Medicare or a trusted source.•The scammers may sound professional, claim to represent Medicare, and have some of your personal information. But in reality, they’re trying to steal your money, Medicare information, or your identity.•Legitimate government agencies won’t contact you to ask for your Medicare number or other personal information unless you’ve called 1‍-‍800‍-‍MEDICARE first.•Medicare is not sending out new cards; anyone suggesting otherwise is lying to you.
What You Should Do•
Protect your information and never share your Medicare or Social Security number (or other personal information) with anyone who contacts you out of the blue by phone, text, email or shows up at your door.•Be suspicious of unsolicited, aggressive, misleading or too-good-to-be-true offers for a new Medicare plan, and don’t be rushed into making a decision. You have unt‍il Dec‍ember ‍7 to enroll, and Medicare doesn’t offer extra benefits for signing up early.
•Beneficiaries can safely compare plans and change enrollment by going to medicare.gov or calling 800‍-‍633‍-‍4227.•Each state also has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) that offers unbiased, one-on-one counseling to help you navigate the complexities of Medicare.•Contact the Senior Medicare Patrol in your area to report Medicare fraud or abuse and to seek assistance.
 
Reprinted from AARP Fraud Watch Network

13 Ways to Protect Yourself From Fraud

Learn how to lower your risk and keep criminals at bay

Scams are rampant these days, with criminals stealing a reported $8.8 billion from Americans last year, according to the Federal Trade Commission. But there are ways to protect yourself, including staying up on the latest schemes and following the advice listed below.

1. Stop at the mailbox

Informed Delivery is a free service from the U.S. Postal Service. The agency emails photos of letter-size mail expected to be delivered to you that day or shortly after. This is a great way to be sure that nothing is stolen from your mailbox by ID thieves. Sign up at InformedDelivery.usps.com.

Pick up mail as quickly as possible after it’s delivered, and always take your outgoing mail directly to the post office. A hot fraud now is scammers stealing checks from mailboxes, erasing the ink and using them to steal from bank accounts.

2. Halt scammers at your front door

Consider installing a video camera; they are increasingly less expensive, and they’re easy to install. If you don’t recognize a visitor, don’t answer.

If you find yourself being pressured to buy or donate, have a refusal script ready (consider taping it near the door) that says, “I do not do business at my door. Please leave me something to review. If I’m interested, I’ll call you.”

Be wary of people posing as utility workers who show up unannounced. Don’t allow anyone into your house without an appointment.

3. Prevent garbage theft

Shred any papers that contain private information (financial statements, bills, shipping receipts) before putting them out for pickup to avoid identity theft. Don’t want to invest in a good cross-cut shredder? Many communities have shredding events or permanent drop-off sites. Get in the habit of dropping off your accumulated documents once every few months.

4. Watch for credit card skimming

Card skimming, in which the criminal affixes a credit card reader on top of a legitimate card reader at a store or gas station, is estimated to cause up to $1 billion in losses annually. When you are paying at a gas station or other point-of-sale location, inspect the device for loose/broken/scratched machinery to make sure someone hasn’t tampered with it. If you are unsure, notify the cashier and pay using an alternative method.​

5. Monitor your credit report

Routinely check yours (many credit card companies provide it for free; if not, go to AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228). Watch for unusual activity; if you see any, report it immediately to the appropriate financial institution.

Then freeze your credit report. This prevents scammers from opening new credit cards or making big purchases in your name. You can “unfreeze” it as needed for legitimate transactions. Visit IdentityTheft.gov for more information.

6. Safeguard your wallet

Remove cards and information you don’t need to carry (such as your Social Security or Medicare card). Make copies of the remaining cards (front and back) and store in a safe place.

Audit your wallet and purse frequently. Take out any unnecessary items that collect and could compromise your personal information if lost or that would be a hassle to replace.

7. Protect your financial accounts

Create online accounts with each of your financial institutions. Come up with a unique password for each.

Then get in the habit of reviewing the transaction lists on a weekly or biweekly basis. Be sure you can account for every listed transaction. Spot something odd or incorrect? Immediately report it.

8. Safeguard your smartphone

If you have a newer model, turn on biometric identification (finger­print or facial recognition); this will help prevent a thief from logging in to your phone.

Send calls from unknown numbers to voicemail (you can enable this in the phone’s settings). Make sure your voicemail is set up and not full, so you can receive legitimate messages.

Scammers are sending far more bogus texts, often posing as companies you routinely deal with. Never respond to an unsolicited business text; if you think it might be valid, call the organization or go online.

9. Secure your computer

Turn on two-factor authentication for all secure websites you frequent, such as financial institutions or utility companies (find out how via each site’s online security center). Then only someone logged in to your phone can receive the code to access those accounts.

Consider subscribing to an antivirus software service. Some security experts say browsers and device manufacturers have more built-in malware protection than years ago, such as Microsoft Defender, which comes installed on Windows 10 and 11 machines. Some paid subscriptions also include ad tracker blocking, cloud backups of your machines and identity theft monitoring.

10. Protect your email accounts

Actively designate unsolicited and unwanted email that shows up in your inbox as spam, so future emails from that site get blocked.

Do not open file attachments in emails from businesses or people you don’t trust completely. Malware is often planted via email attachments.

11. Set limits on social media

Set your profile so that only your friends can see your Facebook page. To do that, click the downward arrow button in the upper-right corner of your Facebook page, then click on Settings & Privacy and Privacy Checkup. This easy-to-use wizard will guide you through the settings. And never accept friend requests from people you don’t know or respond to random messages from strangers. But also note that imposter scams, where someone pretends to be your friend, are rampant on social media.

12. Verify online stores

To avoid shopping scams, when typing in a URL, double- and triple-check the spelling to ensure you are on the correct page. Scammers often create a URL with one letter off from the authentic one in hopes you won’t catch it.

Remove your credit card number and information from restaurant delivery and retail store sites. Pay using an e-payment service that keeps credit card info on a highly secure site.

13. Change the way you think

Learn how to not engage. You are under no obligation in these modern times to respond to calls, emails or texts from strangers — especially given that so many of them are fraudulent.

Learn to say no. Sometimes a caller will get through. Get tough: Say, “I do not do business over the phone. Goodbye.” Then hang up without remorse.

Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t sound right, run it by someone you trust and take extra time to think about it.

Reprinted from AARP Fraudwatch Network

Scams the IRS Wants You to Know About

Criminals use a lot of different tactics to steal money from consumers, and one of those tactics is the promise of “free money”. This summer the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is warning taxpayers to be on the lookout for several scams that try to mislead people into believing the IRS owes them.
How It Works•
You may receive a cardboard envelope from a delivery service. The enclosed letter includes the IRS masthead and wording that the notice is “in relation to your unclaimed refund.”•The fake letter contains false contact details and asks for personal and financial information, such as a detailed photo of your driver’s license.•You might also receive an email reminding you to claim your Employee Retention Credit or your “stimulus.”•These emails often lead to a company that offers to search for unclaimed funds if you pay a sizable upfront fee.
What You Should Know•
The mail scheme is an attempt to obtain sensitive personal information such as a Social Security number, date of birth, credit card or banking account numbers or driver’s license.•Recent reports indicate that driver’s licenses are among the hottest commodities for criminals on the dark web.•The IRS shared that the scam letter contains several grammatical and punctuation errors—which are often clear indicators of a scam.•The ERC program and stimulus funds were part of the COVID-19 economic response and haven’t been renewed.
What You Should Do
Ignore any unsolicited email, social media post or text claiming to be from the IRS (the IRS has stated that it won’t contact you via these methods).

Beware of anyone who claims you are owed money by the IRS who hasn’t actually reviewed your taxes, and never pay an upfront fee to someone who says they can get your money back.

Consult with a trusted tax professional whenever you have a question on whether you are eligible for any IRS program.
Reprinted from AARP Fraud Watch Network

Three Shots This Fall? What to Know About Getting the RSV, Flu and COVID Vaccines

This fall, many older adults will be encouraged to get not one, not two, but three vaccines to protect against three common respiratory viruses that sicken millions of Americans each year and become increasingly dangerous with age.  

Most are familiar with the annual flu shot — roughly half of adults rolled up their sleeves for one last year. The same can be said for the COVID-19 booster, which is once again getting an update in time for fall.

New to the menu this year, however, is a vaccine for RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, which is often associated with young kids, but sends as many as 160,000 adults 65 and older to the hospital each year, and kills as many as 10,000.

“We have learned over the last 20 years that year in and year out, [RSV] probably causes as much illness as influenza,” says William Schaffner, M.D., who is with the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases and is a professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

RSV hit the U.S. especially hard last fall — right around the same time COVID-19 and flu cases gained steam. (Early estimates show the flu killed as many as 58,000 Americans in the 2022-2023 season; meanwhile, COVID-19 sent tens of thousands of people to the hospital each week during the fall of 2022.) This led some to dub the viral convergence a tripledemic.

“It was definitely really, really concerning to watch,” says Rachel Presti, M.D, an associate professor of medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

This year, though, there’s a new tool to help fight back: a vaccine for RSV — the first ever. 

Two versions were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May and are expected to be available by the fall; both are for adults 60 and older.

When should you get the RSV vaccine?

Health officials are encouraging older adults to talk to their doctor to see whether the RSV vaccine is right for them. If that answer is yes, Presti says, there’s no need to delay.

The RSV season generally starts in the fall and peaks in the winter, but last year’s struck a bit early. “So, my recommendation would be to get the RSV vaccine as soon as it’s locally available,” Presti says. 

Pfizer, the manufacturer of one of the RSV vaccines, expects its shot will be available in the late summer or early fall; GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturer of the other, is working on a similar timeline. (And there’s little difference between the two approved shots, Presti adds, so again, it comes down to what’s on hand.) 

One thing you will want to consider is spacing the RSV vaccine out from your flu and COVID vaccines. For one, Schaffner says, “I don’t think there are too many people who want to get three [shots] at the same time.”

And in studies, the influenza antibody response was better when the flu and RSV vaccines were given separately, Schaffner explains, though more information on RSV vaccine co-administration is expected soon.  That said, the COVID-19 boosters and flu shots can be given together — and last year, often were — so there’s no need to make separate trips for the clinic or pharmacy for those.

How often will you need the three vaccines?

The influenza vaccine is one you need every year, ideally by the end of October, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says. And remember: Adults 65 and older should get the high-dose version for stronger protection. (The CDC estimates that 70 to 85 percent of flu-related deaths occur among adults 65 and older.)

The COVID-19 vaccine schedule is still in flux, though many experts are in favor of moving to an annual shot in the fall as the virus settles into a more seasonal pattern. For now, older adults should pay attention to recommendations from health officials and stay up to date on their boosters. The CDC recently gave the OK for adults 65 and older to go back for a second dose of the bivalent booster.

As for RSV, Schaffner says the duration of protection from the vaccine has yet to be determined. “Early data indicate that the protection may extend beyond one year,” he said, meaning an annual shot might not be necessary. “That said, stay tuned for further developments.”

If getting three shots this fall seems like a lot, consider the alternative, Presti says. A vaccine is “a whole lot less of a stress on your immune system” than getting infected and seriously ill from one, or all, of these common viruses. “I understand that people are tired of it, but it’s sort of something we should think about getting used to as just a way of preventing disease and keeping ourselves healthy.”

Reprinted from aarp.

Natural Disaster Season Is Here and So Are Scammers

Whether it’s tornadoes or floods, wildfires or hurricanes, it seems like it’s always natural disaster season—which means it’s always a good time for scammers to try and rip people off. Following extreme weather events, dubious contractors and outright scammers descend on affected communities, offering quick, cheap fixes. While some reputable contractors solicit door-to-door, many knockers are running scams. Here’s how to be sure you avoid the damage to your wallet these criminals can cause.
How It Works•
Someone claiming to be a contractor arrives on your doorstep and explains he’s just finished a job fixing storm damage on a neighbor’s property.•Since he’s here already, he’ll say he can handle your needed repairs at a steep discount.•He’ll more than likely ask for payment upfront or try to convince you to sign over payment from your insurance company.
What You Should Know•
Shady contractors and outright scammers flood (no pun intended) areas hit by extreme weather events in search of “work” that they may or may not even attempt to do.•Many will specifically target older homeowners who they perceive as more trusting, more likely to have savings and—they think—may be experiencing cognitive decline.
What You Should Do•
As convenient and as compelling as it may seem, avoid reactively agreeing to repair work at your doorstep; rather, proactively seek out contractors that you can research.•Get written estimates and compare bids from multiple contractors before starting any work.•Ask contractors for references—and check them.•Pay no more than a third of the total cost prior to the work beginning—and then only when materials arrive.
 
Reprinted from AARP Fraud Watch Network

5 Ways Walking Can Boost Your Brain Health

It turns out there’s a mountain of scientific evidence that indicates walking — especially walking outdoors — is powerful medicine for your brain. Here’s what the data shows.

1. Walking may help you grow new brain cells.

Moderately paced walks stimulate the release of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, that is key to the survival of existing brain neurons and the generation of new ones. “Perhaps the most exciting finding is that aerobic forms of exercise [including walking] likely help facilitate the growth of new neurons,” says Patrick Smith, associate professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

2. Walking may boost your creativity.

Walking increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the brain, which can open the gates to enhanced creativity. The brain uses “about three times as much oxygen for healthy neuron function as muscles do” and is extremely sensitive to decreases in oxygen levels, according to Advanced Neurotherapy, a neurofeedback wellness clinic in Needham, Massachusetts. Creativity is a cognitive skill that is part of problem-solving. Studies show that the simple act of getting up from your desk and taking a short walk can help trigger ideas. A Stanford University study found “creative output increased 60 percent when participants were walking,” even on a treadmill facing a blank wall.

3. Walking may enhance your mood.

When you walk, increased blood flow to the brain initiates a “cascade of changes,” says Marie Pasinski, M.D., assistant professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School. “A cocktail of feel-good neurotransmitters — serotonin, dopamine, endorphins — is released.” Forty-two percent of American adults suffer a vitamin D deficiency. Our bodies manufacture vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, furthering the production of serotonin, a hormone benefiting memory and mood. Even on a cloudy day, “exposure to light elevates the mood,” says John Ratey, M.D., associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

4. Walking may reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

Participants who walked more than 4,000 steps per day had healthier brain tissue in the area responsible for memory, learning and cognitive function than those who did not, one study found. That brain region, called the hippocampus, typically begins to shrink in late adulthood, leading not only to impaired memory but also an increased risk of dementia. The research revealed that aerobic exercise increases the size of the hippocampus

5. Walking may decrease brain-damaging stress.

Repeated exposure to stressful situations impairs memory, ­attention and cognitive flexibility. Walking in nature has been shown to be particularly effective at reducing stress levels. The impact of being outdoors may have to do with “optic flow” — the perception that objects are moving past us as we walk, which ­quiets the circuits responsible for stress, says Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist in the Department of Neurobiology at Stanford Medicine.

“Self-generated optic flow — by walking, running or cycling — shifts the brain into a state of relaxation that’s not seen when you’re stationary,” he says. Scientists have seen walking reduce levels of cortisol, which surges during fight-or-flight situations. Elevated cortisol levels may damage cognition and contribute to Alzheimer’s disease, according to a 2019 ­review of studies in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. Just a 20-minute walk has been shown to reduce stress.

Reprinted from AARP.