Phishing emails have become one of the most prevalent forms of cybercrime, but the good news is they often rely on the same triggers to hook their victims. Knowing what these triggers are can help you spot them – and avoid falling prey.
To begin, phishing emails often don’t feel right. While they appear to come from legitimate companies, they typically make requests those companies would never make. So, remember to take a moment to look carefully at any email before responding or clicking.
Remember, phishing emails target everyone regardless of age, from young children to the elderly. So, staying safe means making sure the whole family knows these signs so everyone can avoid being lured into a scam.
If an email seems “phishy,” it probably is.
Five ways to spot a phish.
- A public or unusual email domain Legitimate emails from banks and other companies use a domain that matches the organization’s name. If the domain email is a public one – like gmail – it doesn’t match the company name, or is misspelled, then it is most likely a fake.
- Poor writing and grammar Banks and other companies don’t send out emails with bad grammar or misspellings. If you get an email with typos or strange and unusual phrases, it’s likely a phishing email.
- Urgent deadlines Phishing emails try to get you to react quickly without thinking by imposing immediate deadlines with dire consequences. Legitimate companies won’t do that.
- Suspicious attachments When an email includes unfamiliar attachments, such as high dollar invoices or receipts to items you did not purchase, you may instinctively click on it looking for more information. Don’t. They often contain malware that can download your personal information.
- Account information or login requests Phishing emails sometimes link to web pages where you’re asked to “confirm” personal account or login credentials. Reputable companies will not make a request like this by email, text or over the phone.
Protecting you and your family from phishing attacks is another way Credit Union ONE is helping to keep you and your money safe.