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Watch out for fake email senders
Don’t fall victim to phishing scams. Learn how to spot fake emails and protect yourself!
The Scenario
Scammers often impersonate trusted brands like PayPal to trick you into providing personal information. They may spoof the sender’s name to look legitimate, but with closer inspection, you can spot the scam.
Warning
This is a classic example of a phishing scam. Never click on links or provide personal information in response to unsolicited emails, even if they appear to be from a trusted source.
Red Flags to Watch For
- 🕵️ Check the actual sender's email: Don’t rely on the display name; always inspect the full email address.
- ⚠️ Urgent or alarming subject lines: Scammers use urgency to make you act quickly without thinking.
- 🔗 Suspicious links: Hover over links to see the true URL. If it looks unfamiliar or strange, don’t click it.
- 📋 Spelling and grammar mistakes: Legitimate companies usually have well-written emails with no errors.
- 🚫 Requests for personal information: Reputable companies will never ask for sensitive data like passwords over email.
How to Protect Yourself
- Verify the sender's email address before clicking on links or opening attachments.
- Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for an extra layer of account security.
- Report suspicious emails to the company being impersonated or a phishing reporting service.
- Keep software and security systems updated to reduce vulnerabilities.
Remember
Legitimate organizations will never ask you to provide sensitive information via email. When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and verify independently.