Hoax emails are common and as fraudsters become more sophisticated these emails and scams are becoming better. Even some savvy Internet users have been caught flatfooted. While some scam emails are easy to spot, some are not so easy. Some types pose no major risk, while others such as phishing emails can wreck your credit and result in identity theft.
It is important to be cautious at all times when reading and responding to emails, even when they seem legitimate. Phishing emails normally have some things in common. Some things that can be used to identify them are:
They usually seem to come from financial institutions, such as a bank with which you do business.They tend to include links to a ‘spoof’ website which sometimes look like the official website. Once you click the link and go to the website you are asked to enter personal information and even passwords.They may actually be coming from someone in your address book.The email subject line usually says something like you have “won the lottery” or need to “verify your account.”
While some scam emails are not phishing emails, they are aimed at tricking the recipient into doing something which normally requires sending money. Many may seem to come from someone you know stating that they were robbed and need money to pay their hotel bill or something similar.
Protecting yourself online calls for more than just having a good password. It requires vigilance and keeping up to date with the latest online scams and tricks. It is a good idea to report phishing emails to the company from which they are originating. In fact, many banks and companies have an email address for reporting these kinds of emails. It is not wise to read or respond to suspicious emails.