Here's how to spot a phishing scam: When you receive an unsolicited email you should check it for signs that it may not be from the person/company it appears to be from.
- Check the email address - Is it the same as the email address you usually receive emails from, or just similar.
- Check the email subject line - anything along the lines of "There is a secure message waiting for you", "Security Alert", "System Upgrade" and so on should be treated as suspect.
- Check the message title - if it reads 'Dear Customer' or 'Dear Valued Customer' or if isn't personalized at all, then you should be suspicious. Phishing emails will not usually include your name.
- Be wary if the email asks you to click on a hyperlink or a button to download a file. Wording such as 'verify your account or password' or 'update your security details' should be viewed as suspicious – they are likely to take you to a copycat website where you may be prompted to enter personal details which can be used to commit fraud.
- Be suspicious of any message that creates a sense of urgency, such as 'If you don't respond within 48 hours, your account will be suspended'. A legitimate company will not create a false sense of urgency.
- Check the grammar and spelling for mistakes or inconsistencies.
- Call the organization directly to verify the inquiry. This will allow you to determine if the correspondence you received is legitimate or a phishing scam.
- Mention to the organization that you received suspicious correspondence and you need to clarify its authenticity. The organization may also take further action on their end if it is a phishing scam.
- If you were left with a voice mail or automated message providing you with a phone number to call, verify that the phone number matches with the phone number in your records for that organization.
- Review your bank statements regularly. This will allow you to see if any unauthorized charges or purchases have been made with your account, indicating that you may be the victim of a phishing scam.
- If you notice any unauthorized activity in your bank account or on credit cards, notify your local authorities and your financial organizations immediately. This may prevent the cybercriminals behind the phishing scam from continuing to use your information.
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