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Online safety for older adults is becoming increasingly important as more everyday activities move online. Banking, shopping, communicating with family, managing appointments, and paying bills can all be handled from a phone, tablet, or computer.
The scale of the risk is significant. According to the FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report, people age 60 and older submitted more than 201,000 complaints to the Internet Crime Complaint Center and reported more than $7.7 billion in losses.
Fortunately, staying safer online does not require being a technology expert. A few practical habits can make it much harder for criminals to access your accounts, personal information, or money.
At First National Bank of Oklahoma, we believe financial security starts with simple habits that help you stay in control.
Protect Your Most Important Accounts First
Start with the accounts that could give someone access to other parts of your financial life:
- Online banking
- Credit cards
- Investment or retirement accounts
- Shopping accounts
- Social media
Use a different password for each important account. A password manager can make this easier by securely storing strong, unique passwords so you do not have to remember them all.
Also, turning on multi-factor authentication whenever it is available adds a second layer of protection beyond your password.
One important reminder: never give an unexpected caller or message sender a verification code that was sent to your phone. First National Bank of Oklahoma will never call you and request a code, your full card number, your debit card PIN #. If you aren’t sure about an interaction, it’s best to just hang up and call your local bank and ask for more details or confirmation.
Keep Your Devices Secure and Up to Date
Your phone, tablet, and computer may contain access to email, banking apps, saved passwords, and personal information. Keeping it up to date on software helps keep you safe.
A few basic protections can make a big difference:
- Turn on automatic software updates.
- Keep your browser and banking apps current.
- Use a PIN, password, fingerprint, or facial recognition.
- Download apps only from trusted app stores.
- Enable device-location features when available.
If a phone or tablet is lost, act quickly. Lock or locate the device remotely if possible, and change important passwords. Contact your financial institution immediately if account information may have been exposed.
Be Careful With Unexpected Links, Downloads, and Remote Access
Take your time and think before you click – doing so may save you. Many scams begin with a message that looks routine.
It might appear to be:
- A delivery notice
- A bank security alert
- A purchase confirmation
- A password-reset request
- A message from a company you recognize
Instead of clicking a link in an unexpected message, open the company’s official app.
Be especially cautious if someone asks you to download software or give them remote access to your computer or phone. An unexpected caller who claims they need to “fix” your device or account may be trying to gain direct access to your information.
If you genuinely need technical support, contact the company yourself through a trusted phone number or website.
Shop and Bank Through Trusted Connections
When shopping online, use websites and apps you know and trust.
Be cautious of unfamiliar retailers offering unusually large discounts, and avoid entering payment information after following a link from an unexpected email or text.
Public Wi-Fi also deserves extra caution. If you are at an airport, hotel, restaurant, or coffee shop, consider waiting until you are on a trusted connection before accessing online banking or entering sensitive financial information.
Your cellular connection may be a safer alternative when you need access while away from home.
Limit the Information Scammers Can Learn About You
Social media can reveal more personal information than many people realize. Be mindful about what details you post and show online to others.
Public posts may show:
- Family relationships
- Birthdays
- Travel plans
- Work history
- Hobbies
- Where you live
Scammers can use those details to make a false story sound more believable. These details also can assist a scammer in password guessing.
Review your privacy settings, be selective about connection requests, and think about how much personal information really needs to be public.
It can also help to choose a trusted family member, friend, or advisor you can call when something feels suspicious.
Scammers often try to isolate people by saying things like “don’t tell anyone” or “you must act now.” Those instructions should be warning signs.
Create a Simple Pause-and-Verify Habit
If an unexpected call, text, email, or online message asks you to provide information, move money, or take urgent action:
Pause. Verify. Then decide.
Do not rely on the phone number or link provided by the person contacting you. Find the organization’s official contact information yourself and reach out directly.
For more detail on impersonation tactics and how scammers try to build trust, read our Imposter Scams: How to Spot Them and Protect Your Bank Account guide.
Use First National Bank of Oklahoma’s Security Tools
First National Bank of Oklahoma customers have access to debit card controls through mobile banking that can help manage how cards are used.
Depending on your settings, you can:
- Turn a debit card on and off
- Set spending limits
- Restrict transactions by location
- Control certain merchant transactions
These tools give you more control and can help you respond quickly if something does not look right.
First National Bank of Oklahoma can also place alerts on customer accounts and establish a security word for phone verification. If you would like to do so, contact your local branch by phone and speak to customer service to set this extra layer of security up on your account.
Review Your Accounts and Act Quickly
Make a habit of reviewing your bank and credit-card activity for unfamiliar purchases, transfers, or small charges you do not recognize.
If you believe you may have clicked a suspicious link, shared financial information, given someone access to a device, or noticed an unauthorized transaction, contact your bank and other affected organizations as soon as possible.
Do not let embarrassment delay you from asking for help. The sooner a problem is reported, the more options may be available to protect your accounts.
Online Safety Does Not Have to Be Complicated
You do not need to master every new technology to stay safer online.
Start with a few good habits:
- Use unique passwords.
- Turn on multi-factor authentication.
- Keep devices updated.
- Be cautious with unexpected links and downloads.
- Limit the personal information you share publicly.
- Verify unusual requests independently.
- Review your financial accounts regularly.
- Ask someone you trust when you are uncertain.
Together, these steps create multiple layers of protection around your personal and financial information.
At First National Bank of Oklahoma, we are here to help you use digital banking confidently while keeping security at the forefront. If you ever have concerns about your account or a communication that appears to come from the bank, contact us directly through a trusted phone number or visit us at one of our locations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Safety for Older Adults
What are the most important accounts to protect first?
Start with your email and financial accounts. Email is especially important because it is often used to reset passwords for other services.
Should I use a password manager?
A reputable password manager can make it easier to maintain unique passwords without having to remember each one.
Should I allow someone to remotely access my computer?
Only when you independently contacted a trusted company and intentionally requested support. Do not install remote-access software at the request of an unexpected caller or message. Otherwise, we don’t regularly recommend it.
What should I do if I think I shared information with a scammer?
Contact your bank and other affected organizations immediately, change affected passwords, and review recent account activity.