Phishing Emails

Determining which e-mails are legitimate and which are not can be difficult. Phishing e-mails are a common tactic used to fraudulently try and gather personal and/or financial information. The phishing e-mails can copy any company logo, layout and language making them look to come from a legitimate source. We encourage you to look closely anytime you receive an e-mail that's asking you to take immediate action.

Here are the top 7 things to look out for when trying to identify a phishing e-mail:

1. The e-mail contains poor spelling and grammar – Poor spelling and grammar may be included in the subject line and/or the body of the e-mail.
2. The message asks for personal information – A reputable company or organization will NEVER ask you for your personal information, online passwords, credit card number or bank account number via e-mail.
3. It's too good to be true – We all know the saying, “If it’s too good to be true, it probably isn’t”. Some phishing e-mails notify you of lost money you never claimed, but in order to claim it you must provide them with your bank account information. Others promote gifts, announce lottery winnings and unclaimed inheritance.
4. You are asked to send money – Many times we have received e-mail from people we know that claim to be stranded in a foreign country in great need of money. Unfortunately in most cases address books are compromised and therefore the e-mail address may be from someone you really do know, but has had their account compromised.
5. Unrealistic threats – Reputable business and banks will not close your account or seize your assets if you do not confirm your personal information via e-mail.
6. Email address not from a trusted company – Always check the sender’s e-mail address that sent you the e-mail. If the notification claims to be from your bank but says it was sent to you from lovepet.us.com, then you know it’s most likely NOT from your bank.
7. Link included in the e-mail – If links are included in your e-mail, hover over them and verify that they are directing you to the correct website.

Scams are always evolving and adapting which can make it difficult for us all to recognize legitimate e-mails from the fake ones. We encourage to report any e-mails that seem suspicious in any way. Remember: JDFR (Just doesn’t feel right) - If something “just doesn’t feel right”, for whatever reason – follow your instinct and report it to our SSND CP Helpdesk line at 1-800-373-7521 or helpdesk@ssndcp.org.

Video of Phishing:

Video of SmiShing: