📧 Email Scams

What is Email Scams?

Email scams, also known as phishing scams, attempt to trick users into revealing sensitive information like passwords, bank details, or Social Security numbers. Scammers often pose as trusted organizations such as banks, government agencies, or well-known companies.

Common Red Flags

• "Unusual sender email address (e.g., misspellings or extra characters).
• "Urgent language or threats, such as 'Your account will be locked!'
• Poor grammar and spelling mistakes in the email body.
• Suspicious links or attachments that you didn’t request.
• Requests for personal or financial information.
• Generic greetings like 'Dear Customer' instead of your name.
• Fake security alerts or fake tracking information.

How to Protect Yourself

• Verify sender email addresses before clicking any links.
• Never open unexpected attachments, even if they appear to come from someone you know.
• Hover over links to check if they lead to legitimate websites.
• Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
• Report phishing emails to your email provider and IT/security team.
• Install anti-phishing browser extensions to detect malicious sites.
• Educate yourself on common phishing tactics and stay updated on new scams.

What to Do If You're Scammed

"If you fall for an email scam, act fast. Immediately change your passwords for affected accounts, enable 2FA, and notify your bank or credit card company if financial details were compromised. Report the phishing email to your email provider and security agencies such as the FTC or Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG).