Phishing scams are sneaky attempts to trick you into sharing personal information—like passwords or credit card numbers—by pretending to be someone you trust, such as your bank, a favorite retailer, or even a government agency. They’re more common than you might think, but here’s the good news: you can outsmart them! In this blog post, we’ll walk you through five simple steps to spot phishing scams and keep your information safe.
Step 1: Check the Sender Carefully
The first thing to do when you get an email or text is to look closely at the sender. Scammers often use email addresses or phone numbers that look almost like the real thing but have small differences—like extra letters, numbers, or odd spellings. For example, if your bank’s email is [email protected], a scammer might use [email protected] or [email protected]. If it looks strange or unfamiliar, don’t trust it.
Pro Tip: Sometimes scammers make the “display name” look legitimate, but the actual email address is different. Always check the email address itself, not just the name that pops up.
Step 2: Spot Mistakes in the Message
Legitimate companies take pride in their messages—they’re usually polished and professional. If you notice spelling errors, bad grammar, or awkward wording, it’s a big red flag. For instance, a message that says “Your account has been compromise” instead of “compromised” is a clue something’s off.
Pro Tip: Watch for generic greetings like “Dear Customer” instead of your name. Real companies often personalize their messages, especially for important updates.
Step 3: Watch for Urgency and Pressure
Scammers love to make you feel rushed. They might say things like “Your account will be locked in 24 hours if you don’t act now” or “You’ve won a prize, but you must claim it today!” This is a trick to get you to act without thinking. Legitimate companies rarely push you to respond that fast.
Pro Tip: If a message makes you feel panicked or pressured, take a deep breath and slow down. It’s better to double-check than to rush into a mistake.
Step 4: Don’t Click on Links or Download Attachments
One of the easiest ways scammers get you is through links or attachments. Clicking a link could take you to a fake website designed to steal your info, or downloading an attachment might put harmful software on your device. If a message seems suspicious, don’t click anything.
Pro Tip: Want to check something out? Type the company’s website address into your browser yourself. If you’re curious about a link, hover your mouse over it (without clicking) to see the real URL. If it looks odd, skip it.
Step 5: Verify the Information Yourself
If a message seems fishy, don’t use the phone number or email it provides to respond—that could connect you to the scammer! Instead, find the company’s official contact info on their website or from a bill or letter you already have. Reach out to them directly to see if the message is real.
Pro Tip: Not sure what to do? Ask a trusted friend or family member to help you figure it out, or search online for recent reports of similar scams.
What to Do If You Think You’ve Been Scammed
If you suspect you’ve shared personal info with a scammer, don’t panic—there’s still time to act. Here’s what you can do:
- Change your passwords right away, especially for any affected accounts.
- Call your bank or credit card company to let them know about possible fraud.
- Keep an eye on your accounts for anything unusual.
- Report the scam to a group like the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC). You can report scams to them online or by phone: 1-888-495-8501.
Acting fast can help limit the damage, so don’t wait!
Conclusion
With these five easy steps, you’ve got the tools to spot phishing scams like a pro. It’s all about staying cautious and taking a moment to double-check—better safe than sorry! Feel free to share these tips with friends, family, and coworkers to keep them safe too.
At Neville Tech Solutions, we’re here to help you stay secure online. If you ever have questions about a weird message or need assistance protecting your accounts, just reach out. We’ve got your back!