HealthEquity Trust the Shield logo with a purple shield icon featuring a padlock.
Healthequity top 10 fake emails
Healthequity top 10 fake texts flat b

Is this Social Security email a scam?

Have a look at this email that appears to come
from the U.S. Social Security Administration.

But did it really?

Slide the red bar below from right to left to see if this is a scam.

Social Security phish left
Social Security phish right
Before
After
Social Security Messages

One more thing...

July 1 cartoon

Answers to Your
Cybersecurity Questions

Qa vpn

Do you feel VPNs are necessary for better personal online security?

A VPN (a “virtual private network”) is software you install on your computer or phone that is helpful for people who travel often, work remotely, or use public Wi-Fi, since it keeps their internet activity private and secure.

It also helps those who want more online privacy or need access to region-restricted content. VPN’s don’t automatically guarantee your safety. Websites can still track you in other ways, and free or shady VPNs may actually put your data at risk.

If your home network is from a reliable internet provider and you don’t need extra privacy features, you can probably skip it without losing much protection.

Qa free credit monitoring

I recently received information about a security incident at Alliance Life Insurance Co. I’m a retired agent. They have provided the opportunity to activate two years of free identity monitoring. Do you recommend it?

Yes, it’s a smart move to sign up for the free identity monitoring when a company you do business with has suffered a cyber breach and offers it. These services keep an eye on your credit and personal information, alerting you if someone tries to misuse your identity.

Even if only limited details were exposed, criminals can combine bits of personal data from different breaches to commit fraud. Make sure you also sign up to be notified when there is activity with your bank and credit card accounts.

Qa netflix

I receive numerous emails stating that my Netflix account will be canceled soon due to non-payment. However, my payment always goes through, and Netflix has not interrupted my streaming. Should I be concerned?

If your Netflix payments are going through and your streaming works fine, don’t worry. The email you received is one of the 10 most common phishing scams of 2025.

Criminals send fake Netflix messages to scare people into clicking bad links or handing over account and payment details.

These emails often look convincing, but ignore the message, delete it, and if you’re concerned, check your account directly through the Netflix app or website.

Send us your cybersecurity question
for possible use in a future newsletter.

Cyber cartoon © 2025 CartoonStock | Original content © 2025 Aware Force LLC