Tips for Spotting Email Scams

It seems like it’s getting harder and harder for spam filters to differentiate between true spam and regular emails.  There are times when legitimate emails get flagged while malicious content slips through the cracks.  As such, consumers might need to adopt some habits to ensure that they can spot scams without relying on their filters.

Switched.com created a list of 10 Ways to Spot an E-mail Scam and I thought it would be good to discuss some of their suggestions (click here to read their whole article).  The site also has an article about the top email scams which, although things are always evolving, is definitely worth reading.

The first and most important warning sign is the request for personal information.  If someone is asking for your log-in or bank account number, it’s probably not safe to reply.  I have never had a legitimate business ask me for important information through email so make sure you verify the source of the email before you reply.

Look out for multiple typos, generic greetings (“hello friend”), red-flag phrases (”verify your account” and “you have won the lottery,” etc…), wordless emails, attachments from unfamiliar senders and outdated information. 

You should also be suspicious of surveys and market research that require you to log in to your account to fill out forms or enter a contest.

And if it does look like a legitamite email and there’s a link to log into your account, be safe and type in the url for the website you want to log in to. If it turns out to be a spoof, you at least know that you didn’t click a link that could have been hijacked.

Again, trust your gut instincts.  If something doesn’t feel right, it’s better to investigate than to be duped into sharing personal information. 

image: Flickr/B Rosen