Different Scams Impact Different Audiences, Which Means You Need to Prepare for All of Them

January 25, 2023

Back during the holiday season, the Federal Trade Commission shared some data that showed that members of Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z are all more likely to fall for online shopping scams than those over the age of 60…and not by a little, either. Those under that age are apparently 86 percent more likely to fall for these scams.

Let’s examine some of the findings of this report, and what they tell us about the state of cybersecurity.

Here’s the Hard Truth: Different Types of Scams are More Effective with Different Age Demographics

According to the FTC, scams are universally effective. However, one form of scam may be more effective to one generational subset, while another might impact a different one.

For instance, the FTC’s research saw that younger generations were far more prone to online shopping fraud, investment scams, and job scams. Meanwhile, older generations were more successfully targeted by tech support scams and sweepstakes scams.

It also needs to be said that different scam victims are frequently targeted using different means, as well. Younger Millennials and members of Generation Z are frequently successfully targeted by scams that begin on social media, while Generation X and Baby Boomers are frequently victimized by phone scams.

It Doesn’t Matter What Age Someone Is, They’re Just as Vulnerable to Cyberattacks and Scams

With so many scams out there, utilizing different mediums and platforms to target their intended victims, it’s important that everyone is prepared to spot potential threats and react to them appropriately…and this is all the more important in the business.

Fortunately, businesses in Northern Virginia can turn to the professionals at First Column IT for assistance in preparing their teams to deal with assorted cybersecurity threats. Give us a call at (571) 470-5594 to learn more about our cybersecurity services.

‍

3 Ways the Right Technology Can Fuel Your Company’s Success

You want your company’s technology to aid your employees in getting their work done, not hinder their ability to be productive. This might seem like a logical statement, but you’d be surprised by how many businesses struggle with implementing the right technology for the right job. If you want to increase employee morale, build a better company culture, and boost productivity, your company should consider the following technologies for the employee experience.

October 3, 2025

3 Ways an Intranet Can Revolutionize Your Operations

There are countless moving parts for any business, and if you don’t keep your operations organized, you could quickly find yourself losing grasp of your business in the worst ways. SMBs might use instant messaging, shared drives, and endless email chains to communicate internally, but there’s a better, less clunky solution. We’re looking into the intranet, a digital hub for your business that offers several benefits.

October 1, 2025

3 Signs You’re Dealing with a Phishing Scam

Here’s a fun thought experiment; can your team identify phishing scams and respond to them appropriately? It’s a skill that must be learned if you want your organization to be successful and safe. Today, we’re taking a look at the three big signs you’re looking at a phishing scam (and what to do about it).

Welcome to the First Column IT Tech Blog