How to Spot a Fake Email
Phishing scams are on the rise. Here's how to protect yourself.
Phishing scams are a type of online fraud that use fake emails to trick people into giving up their personal information, such as their passwords, credit card numbers, or Social Security numbers. These emails often look like they're from legitimate companies, such as banks, credit card companies, or government agencies. However, they're actually designed to steal your information and use it to commit fraud.
How to spot a fake email
There are a few key things you can look for to spot a fake email:
- The sender's email address doesn't match the company's website. For example, if you receive an email that appears to be from Amazon, but the sender's email address is not @amazon.com, it's likely a fake.
- The email contains misspellings or grammatical errors. Legitimate companies typically have professional-looking emails that are free of errors.
- The email asks you to click on a link or open an attachment. Never click on links or open attachments in emails from unknown senders. These links and attachments can contain malware that can infect your computer and steal your information.
- The email contains a sense of urgency. Phishing scams often try to create a sense of urgency to get you to act quickly. They may tell you that your account has been compromised or that you need to update your information immediately. Don't fall for these tactics.
What to do if you receive a fake email
If you receive a fake email, the best thing to do is to delete it immediately. Do not click on any links or open any attachments. You can also report the email to the company that it's impersonating.