There are several sophisticated email scams targeting business and individuals globally. They are designed to appear legitimate, would you be able to tell if it is a scam? Below are a few tips to spot an attack.

  1. The email asks you to confirm personal informationKeep an eye out for emails requesting you to confirm personal information, such as banking details or login credentials. Do not reply or click the links provided, if you believe the email could be genuine, you should search online and contact the organisation directly. Do not use any contact information provided in the email.
  2. The web and email addresses do not look genuine
    Malicious links can be concealed in the boy of an email or alongside genuine ones – for example: @mail.airbnb.work as opposed to @Airbnb.com. Before clicking the link, hover over and inspect each one first.
  3. It’s poorly writtenEmails from legitimate companies are constructed by professional writers and are checked for spelling, grammar and legality errors. It has been suggested that scam emails deliberately include errors to ensure they only trick the most gullible targets.
  4. There’s a suspicious attachment
    Be careful opening attachments if you receive an email from a company out of the blue relating to something unexpected. The attachment could contain malicious URL or trojan, leading to the installation of a virus or malware on your PC or network. It’s good practice to scan the attachment first with antivirus software.
  5. The message is designed to make you panicThese emails are intended to make you panic, ensure you take the time to think about whether an email is asking for something reasonable or not.