Protecting older relatives from online scams
Practical advice for families: the most common scams in Finland and how to recognise them.
Scammers don't need to hack computers when they can hack trust. In Finland, as everywhere, older people lose large sums to criminals who pretend to be bank staff, police officers or a grandchild in trouble. Victims often feel ashamed and don't tell anyone, which is exactly what the criminals count on.
The best protection is a calm conversation in the family before anything happens. Here is what to talk about.
The most common scams
The "bank" or "police" phone call
Someone calls and says your account is under attack, or that the police are investigating a crime. To "protect" your money, you are asked to give your online banking codes, approve something in the banking app, or move money to a "safe account". There is no safe account. It belongs to the criminal.
Fake text messages and e-mails
Messages that look like they come from a bank, Posti, Traficom, the tax authority or a parcel service, with a link to "confirm your details" or "pay a small fee". The link leads to a fake page that steals banking credentials.
"Hi Mum, I have a new number"
A WhatsApp or text message from a "child" or "grandchild" who has lost their phone and urgently needs money for a bill.
Investment and romance scams
Ads with fake celebrity endorsements promise easy returns in crypto or trading. Online romances slowly build trust before an emergency requires money.
Marketplace scams
A "buyer" on an online marketplace sends a link to "receive the payment", which actually asks for card or banking details.
Three rules to remember
- Your bank and the police never ask for your banking codes, never ask you to approve anything in the app over the phone, and never ask you to move money.
- Hang up and call back using a number you find yourself: the number on your bank card or the bank's official website. Never call back the number that called you.
- Urgency is a warning sign. "Right now", "don't tell anyone" and "otherwise you will lose everything" are the scammer's tools. It is always OK to stop and ask someone you trust.
How families can help
- Agree on a family code word for real emergencies.
- Help set up spending limits and notifications in online banking.
- Make it easy to ask: "Call me before you pay anything unusual, I won't be angry."
- Keep devices updated and remove apps that aren't needed.
- Talk about scams you have heard about. Recognising the story is the best protection.
If it has already happened
- Call your bank immediately to block codes and cards. In Finland, bank cards can also be blocked through the deactivation service, tel. 020 333.
- Report the crime to the police (online at poliisi.fi or at a police station).
- Change passwords of any accounts the scammer may have seen, starting with e-mail.
- Support the person who was scammed. Anyone can be fooled: these criminals are professionals.