Email scams are on the rise. An estimated 3.4 billion spam emails are sent every day. To top it all off, scammers are getting smarter. They can make a phishing email look like it comes from your favorite online retailer, and emails and text messages are their favorite ways to try and get your information.. But don’t worry. There are a few telltale signs you can look for to help keep your information safe.
Fishy email addresses
Just because the email says it’s from your favorite retailer doesn’t mean it’s true. Double-check the email address. Are there random periods or numbers in the name? Is it misspelled? Is a large corporation sending you something from a Gmail account? These are all ways scammers trick you into clicking links designed to harvest your information. If anything looks off about the email address, report it as a scam and move on.
Misspelled words and grammar mistakes
Pay attention to the text in your emails and text messages. While it’s possibly a typo, it could be a sign. Significant spelling and grammar errors are red flags that should be addressed. Delete it. Block it and walk away.
Weird subject lines
If you get a random email from someone you don’t regularly email with a subject line that starts with “RE:FW:” or a similar variation, DO NOT OPEN IT. Putting those at the start of a subject line is meant to lure you into a false sense of security. Unless you know that you are corresponding with the sender, leave it be.
Outrageous claims
There’s a reason the phrase “too good to be true” exists. Emails and texts advertising mindboggling deals are never what they sound like. Scammers know shoppers are looking for the best deals. Receiving an exclusive offer that sounds like a godsend may be the devil in disguise. Check with the retailer through a verified channel before accepting those oh-so-tempting offers.
Keeping your information safe online can be tricky. Don’t make it harder by falling for these common phishing scams. Stay vigilant. Trust your gut. And report anything that seems phishy to keep your home and business safe online..
