Cybersecurity scams have been rising ?

NEW YORK (AP) — October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, making it an ideal time to learn how to safeguard yourself against scams.

"Scams have become very advanced," said Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center. "Phishing emails, text messages, and fake caller IDs are just some of the technologies that give scammers an advantage."

As scammers develop new methods to steal money and personal information, it's crucial for consumers to be extra cautious about who they trust, especially on the internet. Alissa Abdullah, also known as Dr. Jay, the deputy chief security officer at Mastercard, suggests an easy way to stay safe: remember the three S's.

"Stay suspicious, stop for a second to think, and stay protected," she advised.

Security expert Petros Efstathopoulos points out that scammers often use three common tactics based on fear, urgency, and money. Here's a look at how these tactics work:

Fear

Scammers use fear to manipulate you. For instance, if you receive an email claiming there's an error with your tax return and that you must fix it immediately to avoid trouble.

Urgency

Scammers often make situations feel urgent to get you to act fast. For example, they might say you need to do something right away, which can lead you to share sensitive information like your Social Security number without careful consideration.

Money

Scammers often use the promise of money to lure you in, Efstathopoulos explained. They might pretend to be tax professionals or claim to represent the IRS, telling you that you can get a larger tax refund than expected if you pay them a fee or provide your personal details.