Set up online access and alerts

Only one-third of people older than 65 have online access to all of their financial accounts, the AARP survey found. People should have that access so that they can monitor their accounts for fraudulent activity, Shadel says. Weekly check-ins are a good goal; Shadel says he checks his bank account and credit card activity

daily.

“A lot can happen in the 30 days you’re waiting for that statement,” Shadel says.

Once your parents have online access, show them how to set up account alerts that will notify them via email or text of unusual activity, large transactions and other noteworthy events that could indicate fraud.

credit bureaus. Credit freezes prevent potential lenders from accessing those credit reports, making it harder for identity thieves to open up new accounts.

Unfortunately, only 14 percent of adults have set up those freezes, even though they are free, Shadel says. It’s also free to temporarily lift a freeze, so consumers can apply for new credit when they want it.

You can help your parents set up freezes and find a secure place to store the log-in credentials or PINs they’ll need for any thaws.

These methods aren’t foolproof. The aim is to be just difficult enough to victimize that the fraudsters move on to the next target.

“If you put up any resistance at all, your chances of being a victim go way down,” Shadel says.