Not Gone, However Sadly Forgotten
Posted on 31st August 2017 at 16:28
At a recent visit to at a coffee shop I was approached a representative from a premium citizen charity and asked for a few minutes of my time, having actually done this role many years ago..I said of course and listened to their presentation.
I was very interested to hear about how much good work was done within the province, to help premium citizens feel more involved and remove the loneliness that can be experienced on a daily basis and for my £3 per month this could help continue the work.
For many years I have volunteered to assist within the Silver Surfer program where as volunteers we once a year, assist the over 55’s to feel a little less isolated while using technology.
In the early years, very few had their own computers maybe 5%, however in this year’s session 90% either had their own computers or had regular use of technology and would use it for many activities: -
Browsing the internet
Searching for specific products and buying them
Email
Keeping in touch with their family around the world by Skype.
All things that make them an easier target for Cyber Criminals
Why Am I Telling You This?
To understand the problem, we need to understand some of the issues, issues that should make you as concerned as I am for our premium citizens.
Many people over 55 didn’t work with computers in their jobs.
Premium Citizens are being forced to use technology as companies save money by moving their services online.
Their children (in general) have no patience to show their parents, grandparents etc. how to complete tasks, so they do it for them, which means the unfamiliarity continues
The premium citizens are isolated and in a lot of cases their pride will ensure they don’t ask for help as they feel stupid.
An awful lot of Premium citizens have good pensions, many assets and bank accounts making them appealing targets for Cyber Criminals.
Back to the coffee shop
After listening to the person tell me about all the things this nationwide charity did, I asked her this question...
What steps are being taken to help educate premium citizens to better understand technology, protect themselves from Cyber Crime and turn their fear into simple caution.
She looked at me and said we give them a nice lunch...
I know it’s a flippant answer however to demonstrate my frustration I replied, what would be the point of providing a lunch to someone who the previous day had been a victim of Cyber Crime and had their bank account emptied.
It’s Frustrating
I have approached a number of organisations that pertain to assist our premium citizens (We mustn’t forget that these premium citizens are our Parents, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles) and although interested when you present the facts and concerns, seem to have no budget to actually do anything to assist, posing the question what do they actually exist for then?
Meanwhile the effects upon our premium citizens from Cyber Crime continue
The fear of using technology increases, the
emotional strain with the families of trying to
comfort their relative after an incident, who
now believe that they are stupid, it was their
fault and they have lost assets they would no
longer be able to help their relatives with.
We must be clear, our premium citizens grew up in a more trusting era where crime was more visible and the effort required was more than a broadband connection and a computer.
The Effects of Cyber Crime are vast
Cyber Criminals do not care about their Victims.
Scams increase and their ingenuity grows as the technology does.
The time has come
I am one individual and I am concerned that as the lethargy and lack of action continues the number of premium citizens becoming victims increases daily
We need to take action
Cyber Awareness for our premium citizens is critical, we need to ensure that we take away the feeling of stupidity, explain its just unfamiliarity and turn the fear of technology into simple caution.
All I need is people to help me do it….
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