Modern scam emails can look incredibly convincing, often mimicking well-known companies or even internal colleagues. But there are still some common signs that could help you spot the fakes before you click on them.
- Check the sender’s email address carefully. Scammers often use addresses that are nearly identical to the real thing, swapping out an “o” for a “0,” or using “.co” instead of “.com.”
- Look out for poor grammar, spelling mistakes or unusual phrasing/wording that seems unfamiliar to you. While not always present, these can be common red flags.
- Beware of vague greetings like “Dear user” or “Customer” rather than using your actual name. Scam emails tend to seem almost overly formal whilst, at the same time, going into little in the way of detail, using overly generic, non-specific wording that you wouldn’t expect from colleagues.
- Watch for urgent or threatening language. If an email says something like “Your account will be closed unless you act now,” or “I need this as soon as possible” that’s often a common scam tactic. If Scammers can convince you that something is urgent and needs doing immediately, you may work faster, leading you to overlook red flags you may have otherwise noticed.
- You can hover over links (without clicking on them) to preview the URL and see where it will lead you to.
- Avoid unexpected attachments, especially if you weren’t expecting a file from the sender.
If anything about the email seems off, it’s best to double-check. Contact the company or person directly using a known number or email address rather than replying or using the details in the email.