Email is one of the most common ways scammers try to trick people into giving away sensitive information. These fake messages—called phishing emails—often look like they come from trusted companies or even your bank. If you’re not careful, you could accidentally share your passwords, bank details, or personal data.
Here’s how to spot and avoid phishing emails before they fool you.
1. Look at the Sender’s Address Carefully
•Scammers may use emails that look similar to official ones (e.g., support@paypa1.com instead of support@paypal.com).
•Always double-check for spelling mistakes or unusual domain names.
2. Beware of Urgent or Threatening Language
•Phishing emails often say things like:
•“Your account will be suspended if you don’t act now!”
•“Confirm your password immediately!”
•These are designed to make you panic and act without thinking.
3. Don’t Click Suspicious Links
•Hover over any link before clicking—it will show the real website address.
•If it doesn’t match the official website, don’t click.
•Instead, go directly to the company’s website by typing the URL in your browser.
4. Check for Poor Grammar and Spelling
•Many phishing emails contain awkward wording, misspellings, or grammar mistakes.
•Legitimate companies usually proofread their emails carefully.
5. Don’t Download Unexpected Attachments
•Attachments in phishing emails can contain malware or viruses.
•If you weren’t expecting a file, don’t download it—even if the email looks real.
6. Watch Out for Requests for Personal Information
•No legitimate company will ask you to share passwords, bank PINs, or social security numbers over email.
•If an email requests this, it’s almost certainly a scam.
7. Use Security Tools
•Enable spam filters in your email account.
•Use antivirus software to block malicious attachments.
•Activate **