THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTObEr 9, 2026 Page 7 SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 6 ● Wednesday, October 28, 2026 – 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ● Thursday, October 29, 2026 – 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ● Friday, October 30, 2026 – 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. COVID-19/fl u vaccine clinics There are two more COVID-19 and fl u vaccine clinics, which are free to Saugus residents and town employees: next Thursday, Oct. 15, from 1-5 p.m. at the Saugus Town Hall Auditorium (second fl oor); and Friday, Oct. 30, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Saugus Senior Center (466 Central St.). At the clinics, Walgreens healthcare professionals will administer the latest Pfi zer COVID-19 booster vaccine as well the seasonal fl u vaccine – all at no cost. The COVID-19 booster will be available for all residents age 65 and older and for ages 12-64 with underlying health issues. Highdose fl u vaccines will also be available at the clinic for individuals age 65 and older. Walk-ins are welcome for the clinic. No preregistration is required. The town asks clinic attendees to bring proof of insurance if they have it, but no one will be turned away. Here are a few upcoming events for your calendar: ● Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m., the Saugus Historical Society will have a program about “Special Saugus Neighborhoods” and would like your input about where you live. Do you have some thoughts about what makes your neighborhood special and what has changed over the years? If you have some comments or photos you’d like to share, please contact Saugus Historical Society President Laura Eisener at 781-231-5988 or email LDELD@ shore.net. ● The Friends of Breakheart Reservation, along with the state Department of Conservation & Recreation, will host The Fourth Annual Halloween Pet Parade on Sunday, Oct. 18, at 11:30 a.m. Reservation begins at 11 a.m. A $10 donation is required to enter your pet. Proceeds will be used by the Friends of Breakheart for park activities and future events. Prizes will be awarded for Best Costume, Best Family/Group Sa Sa a Sa y Senior enior Sen by Jim Miller How to Better Protect Your Social Security Number Dear Savvy Senior, I’m retired and was a victim of Father Walter Connelly presided over the Blessing of the Animals on October 4, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. Many pets were brought by their owners to the afternoon event, including numerous well-behaved dogs and one cat in a carrier. Other pet owners brought photos of dogs, cats and one bird who would not have enjoyed coming in person to the event. Each animal was blessed and received a St. Francis medal that could be attached to a collar or carrier. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) Costume and Best Silly Pet Trick. There will be local vendors, raffl es and giveaways and more. For more details, please contact Fabi Vrechi at favrechi@gmail.com. ● Friday, Oct. 23, from 4– 6 p.m., WIN Waste Innovations is sponsoring a Fall Fun Fest at Blessed Sacrament Church (14 Summer St.). The event will include a live DJ, pumpkin decorating, a Bounce House, pizza and more. The entry fee is a donation of any amount to the Boys & Girls Club. Every contribution makes a diff erence, because WIN Waste will match all community donations made during the event. Support an incredible nonprofi t while having fun with your friends, family and neighbors! Cultural Council Grant applications due Oct. 15 The Saugus Cultural Council is accepting grant applications to support arts and cultural experiences in Saugus. Have an idea that could bring creativity, culture and community to Saugus? The Saugus Cultural Council wants to help make it happen! The Saugus Cultural Council is now accepting applications for its annual Local Cultural Council grant program. Grants provide fi nancial support to individuals and nonprofi t organizations for arts, educational, cultural and community programs. Funding can support everything from music, dance, theater, visual arts, literature, education, public art, environmental programs and wellness initiatives to cultural events and other creative community experiences. Grants range from $150 to $4,000, with priority given to projects that take place in Saugus, directly benefi t the community and are free and inclusive for residents. Eligible projects must take place between July 1, 2026, and December 31, 2027. Have a great idea? This is your chance to bring it to life! Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on October 15, 2026, at massculturalcouncil.org. Questions? Contact the Saugus Cultural Council at saugusculturalcouncil@gmail.com. Your idea could inspire, connect and enrich our community. Apply today! Patriotic Scholarships for High School students The VFW is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generation. If you are a democracy-loving high school student interested in a $35,000 college scholarship or a patriotic middle school student interested in winning $5,000, these scholarships may be for you. High school students may apply for the Voice of Democracy Scholarship, and middle school students may apply for the PatriSOUNDS | SEE PAGE 8 identity theft a while back. I’ve already frozen my credit to protect myself, but I recently heard that I can also “lock” my Social Security number. What exactly does that mean, and is it something I should do? — Recently Scammed Dear Recently, Freezing your credit was one of the smartest steps you could take after identity theft. But there’s another layer of protection many people don’t know about: limiting how your Social Security number (SSN) can be used. While you can’t actually “lock” your Social Security number the way you can freeze a credit report, you can block two of the most common ways criminals misuse it – using it to get a job and gaining access to your online Social Security account. Your Social Security number is the master key to much of your fi nancial life. It’s linked to your taxes, Social Security benefits, Medicare, banking and employment records. With data breaches becoming routine and identity thieves using increasingly sophisticated tactics – including AI-generated scams – protecting your SSN is more important than ever. Criminals don’t need your Social Security card; they only need the number. E-Verify Self Lock The first tool is E-Verify Self Lock. It prevents someone from using your SSN to get a job with employers that participate in the federal E-Verify system. If someone uses your Social Security number to get a job, the wages they earn may be reported to the IRS under your name. That can trigger IRS notices, delay tax refunds and require months of work to correct your tax and Social Security records. To activate Self Lock, create a free myE-Verify account at e-verify.gov and answer a few identity-verification questions. Once the lock is in place, employers using E-Verify won’t be able to confi rm your Social Security number unless you fi rst remove the lock. It remains in eff ect for one year and can be renewed annually. If you ever return to work for an employer that uses E-Verify, you can temporarily remove the lock online and reactivate it afterward. Electronic Access Block The second protection is the Social Security Administration’s Electronic Access Block, which helps prevent criminals from taking over your online Social Security account. An Electronic Access Block disables online and automated telephone access to your Social Security record – including your own. That prevents scammers from changing your direct deposit information, redirecting your benefi ts or updating your personal information. To set it up, call the Social Security Administration at 800-7721213 or visit your local Social Security offi ce and request an Electronic Access Block. If you later want online access restored, you’ll need to verify your identity before the block can be removed. For many retirees – especially those who’ve already experienced identity theft – that extra step is well worth the added security. Extra Safeguards A credit freeze remains one of the best defenses against identity theft, but it only prevents someone from opening new credit in your name. It won’t stop someone from using your Social Security number for employment or trying to access your Social Security account. For even greater protection, create your personal my Social Security account before a scammer does by visiting ssa.gov/ myaccount. Keep your credit reports frozen unless you need to apply for credit, and request a free IRS Identity Protection PIN. The six-digit PIN acts like a second password for your tax return, preventing someone else from fi ling under your Social Security number. You can get one by searching “Get an IP PIN” at irs.gov. Identity theft has become a fact of modern life, but taking a few simple steps now can help protect your Social Security benefi ts, tax records and fi nancial future, and give you greater peace of mind. Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070. nr ior
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