October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and WINK News will share several stories with valuable tips throughout the month.

Social security plays a significant role in financial planning, but it’s also a target for scammers. The National Cybersecurity Alliance highlights several red flags to watch out for.

The Social Security Administration will never threaten you with arrest or legal action for not paying immediately, suspend your Social Security number, ask for payment to activate a cost-of-living adjustment or benefit increase, demand secrecy, direct message you on social media, or request payment by gift cards or crypto.

“All of these should tell you they are fake,” said Jordan Kelly, a cybersecurity expert. “Six-hundred and forty-seven individuals and big corporations are both equal opportunity targets for the bad guys in cyberspace,” said Kelly. “Of course, attacking a big corporation means that you’re going to have access to perhaps large volumes of data, large volumes of personal information, but attacking individuals can be equally effective and also financially lucrative for the cyber bad guys. So even though we hear about corporations getting targeted every day, individuals are falling victim to somewhat simple scams, and that’s why we really need to have our vigilance up.”

If you receive a suspicious call or message from someone claiming to be from Social Security, there are steps you can take to protect yourself.

Stay calm, as scammers often create a sense of urgency to cloud your judgment. Hang up or ignore the message, and initiate communication with the Social Security Administration through official channels. Do not send money, especially in untraceable forms such as gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. Guard your personal information, and if the message mentions a problem you’ve never encountered before, be cautious. Spread the word by sharing scam warnings with friends and family, especially seniors who are frequent targets of scams.

The FBI reports that Florida ranks third in complaints and losses from cybercrime. It’s essential to take the necessary steps to protect your identity and money.

Stay informed and vigilant, and share this information to help keep your community safe.