By | May 8, 2025
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How To Avoid Email Scam

Avoiding email scams requires a combination of awareness, caution, and digital hygiene. Scammers use phishing and social engineering tactics to trick you into giving up sensitive information or money. Here’s how to protect yourself:

🔒 1. Be Skeptical of Unexpected or Urgent Emails

  • Red flag words: “urgent,” “your account will be closed,” “you’ve won,” or “act now.”
  • Scammers try to rush you into action. Pause and verify.

📧 2. Check the Sender’s Email Address Carefully

  • Look for slight misspellings (e.g., support@paypa1.com instead of paypal.com).
  • Scammers often fake the display name but use a fraudulent domain.

🔗 3. Don’t Click Suspicious Links

  • Hover over links before clicking to see the true URL.
  • If unsure, go directly to the company’s official website by typing the address into your browser.

📎 4. Never Download Unknown Attachments

  • Attachments from unknown senders can contain malware or ransomware.
  • Common risky file types: .exe, .zip, .scr, or .html.

🧠 5. Think Before You Share Personal Information

  • Legitimate organizations never ask for sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, or Social Security numbers via email.
  • When in doubt, call the organization directly using a verified phone number.

🛡️ 6. Use Email Filters and Spam Protection

  • Enable spam filters in your email client (e.g., Gmail, Outlook).
  • Use a reputable antivirus and security suite to scan links and attachments.

🔐 7. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

  • Use 2FA for email and other sensitive accounts to add a layer of protection, even if your password is stolen.

🔍 8. Look for Spelling and Grammar Errors

  • Many scam emails contain odd wording, grammatical mistakes, or strange sentence structure.

🧩 9. Don’t Trust Logos Alone

  • Scammers often copy logos and branding to appear legitimate.
  • Design doesn’t prove authenticity—check the sender and context.

🚫 10. Report and Delete Suspicious Emails

  • Don’t reply. Instead:
    • Report phishing to your email provider (e.g., “Report phishing” in Gmail).
    • Forward the scam email to authorities like reportphishing@apwg.org or phishing-report@us-cert.gov.