Cyber fraud is on the rise in our community and anyone can fall victim to a scam or fraud.

To better detect scams, it helps to have a basic knowledge of how computers and smart phones work.

Council’s Community Safety Advisory Committee recently heard from Police that cyber fraud is on the rise, with criminals increasingly targeting older people in our community.

Also, as we approach Christmas, more people are tempted to go online to purchase gifts and services, so learning how to stay safe, while doing your digital shopping is very important.

Scammers can reach us in many ways like text, messaging apps, websites, social media, email or phone. 

Council runs Tech Help Services at our libraries to help seniors brush up their digital skills, to not only be more proficient on the computer or smart phone, but to also better protect themselves from scams.

The sessions are free and are provided by expert volunteers.

If you are aware of a scam, help others by reporting the scam to the National Anti-Scam Centre via Scamwatch.gov.au

Seniors are also encouraged to reach out to Computer Pals in Manly, Narrabeen, Forestville, Avalon, Belrose and Terrey Hills, who also offer valuable tech support for seniors.