How to Spot Fraudulent or Dangerous Emails: Stay Safe Online

How to Spot Fraudulent or Dangerous Emails: Stay Safe Online

In this article, we’ll help you learn how to identify fraudulent or dangerous emails, a common trick used by scammers to deceive people. But first, let’s explain a key term: Phishing.

What is Phishing?

Phishing is a type of online scam where criminals try to trick you into revealing personal information, such as passwords, bank details, or credit card numbers. They do this by pretending to be a legitimate organisation, often through fake emails that look convincing. These emails might ask you to click on a link, open an attachment, or provide sensitive information. The goal of phishing is to steal your data or install malicious software on your device.

 

Now, let’s look at how you can spot these dangerous emails and protect yourself from phishing attacks.

1. Look for Suspicious Email Addresses

One of the first signs of a fraudulent email is the sender’s address:

• Check the sender’s email address carefully. Fraudulent emails often come from addresses that look unusual or slightly misspelled. For example, an email claiming to be from your bank might have an address like "support@bankxample.co.uk" instead of "support@bankexample.co.uk".
• Be wary of generic addresses such as those that start with "noreply" or "info," especially if you weren’t expecting an email from that organisation.

2. Watch Out for Poor Grammar and Spelling

Legitimate companies take care in crafting their communications, so:

• Look for errors in spelling and grammar. If an email is full of mistakes, it’s likely not from a trustworthy source.
• Pay attention to unusual language. If the wording seems off or too formal/informal, it could be a red flag.

3. Don’t Click on Unknown Links

Fraudulent emails often contain links designed to steal your information:

• Hover over links with your mouse (without clicking) to see where they lead. If the link address looks strange or doesn’t match the company’s official website, don’t click it.
• Avoid clicking on links altogether if the email is unexpected or suspicious. Instead, go directly to the company’s official website by typing the address into your browser.

4. Beware of Urgent or Threatening Language

Scammers often use scare tactics to pressure you into acting quickly:

• Be cautious of emails that demand immediate action, like "Your account will be closed!" or "You must verify your information now!" Legitimate companies usually don’t threaten you in this way.
• Take a moment to think before responding to any email that tries to create a sense of urgency.

5. Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Attachments

Unexpected attachments can be dangerous:

• Never open attachments from unknown or unexpected sources. They could contain viruses or other malicious software.
• If the email seems to be from someone you know but includes an unexpected attachment, contact the person separately to verify they sent it.

6. Question Unusual Requests for Personal Information

Legitimate companies will rarely ask for sensitive information via email:

• Be wary of any email that asks for personal information like passwords, bank account details, or your National Insurance number in the UK, or your DNI/NIE in Spain. Most reputable companies will never request this information through email.
• If in doubt, contact the company directly using a phone number or email address you know is genuine.

7. Recognise Too-Good-to-Be-True Offers

Scammers often lure victims with promises of rewards:

• Be suspicious of offers that seem too good to be true, such as winning a lottery you didn’t enter or receiving a prize for a contest you never participated in.
• Avoid clicking on links or providing information in response to such offers. Instead, delete the email.

8. Check for the Use of Company Names

Scammers are getting smarter and often use the full names of legitimate companies to trick you:

• Be cautious even if an email uses the full company name. While this can make an email look more legitimate, remember that company information is easy for scammers to acquire and use against you.
• If you’re uncertain about the email, contact the company directly through their official website or customer service line to verify the message.

9. Be Cautious of Shortened Links

Shortened links, like those using bit.ly or tinyurl, can be convenient but also dangerous:

• Avoid clicking on shortened links if you’re not sure where they lead. Scammers often use these links to disguise malicious websites.
• Use a link preview tool or expand the shortened link using online services to see the full URL before clicking.

Final Thoughts

At With Love, we want you to feel secure and confident when using your technology. By keeping these tips in mind, you can protect yourself from fraudulent and dangerous emails. Remember, we’re here to help you every step of the way, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need further assistance.