EMAIL users are being warned to watch out for seven “red flags” that you’re being scammed.
An official security memo from Vodafone reveals how to spot the signs of a dangerous scam message.
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These phishing emails can strike at any time – even on trusted apps like Google Gmail or Microsoft Outlook – and they can be extremely costly.
Phishing is where a crook poses as an official organisation or trusted contact to trick you.
They typically aim to either steal your money – or get enough of your info to defraud you or sell on for profit.
“The problem here is that some scams seem so real, or make us panic into sharing private information, that we don’t realise a mistake has been made until it’s too late,” Vodafone explained.
“Since scams and scammers are becoming smarter, there are so many opportunities to accidentally compromise confidential information.”
The UK mobile giant revealed seven signs that a phishing email has turned up in your inbox.
First up is when an email uses a “generic urgent subject line”.
“A legitimate email usually has a detailed subject line,” Vodafone explained.
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The second sign is when the sender address is “questionable”.
“If the sender’s email address doesn’t match the name, it’s most likely a scam,” Vodafone warned.
Third on the list is when the email features an unusual or impersonal introduction.
“Think about whether this is how the sender would usually address you,” Vodafone advised.
Fourthly, you should look out for poor grammar or spelling.
If an email has spelling mistakes, it’s often a key sign that the message hasn’t come from a professional business.
Fifth is when a suspicious URL is included in the message.
“When you hover over the link, see if it displays an insecure address (http rather than https) and see if it matches the sender,” Vodafone said.
“If you aren’t sure whether it’s safe, don’t click – always verify it first.”
The sixth sign is when an email creates unnecessary urgency.
“Scam emails tend to include a sense of urgency to prompt a quick response,” Vodafone said.
And finally, you should be wary if an email address doesn’t include contact details.
Vodafone warned: “A generic signature and lack of contact information is a tell-tale sign of a scam, as you can’t verify the sender.”
