Not Using Your Name
Spoof emails will likely not have your name in the message. They may be
addressed 'Dear Customer', 'Member', 'Friend' or other ambiguous title.
Real emails from institutions or business you have accounts with will use
your name or a name you created for your account.
No Account Number
Companies that you have done business with will have account numbers and
passwords on file. If you are ever contacted by a business that asks you
to verify your account number or password do not respond. Only give
information to businesses if you have initiated the contact.
Improper Grammar or Spelling Errors
A surprising amount of these 'spoofs' will have grammar or spelling
errors. Whether this is because the con artist is not a native English
speaker or it was done in a hurry is immaterial. A legitimate business
email will not likely have these glaring errors.
Warnings to Close Your Account
Often the 'spoof' email takes the form of a warning that your account has
been illegally accessed, that you have been a victim of fraud or that your
account will be closed unless you respond to the email. They will ask you
to click on a link in the email and verify your information. In reality
you are giving the information to the thief who will use it to access your
real accounts.
Always be suspicious of emails that ask for personal information. Contact
the business through their official website and find out how to forward
the fraudulent email to them. If you have opened any links or provided
personal information you should immediately contact the business about the
account and watch for unauthorized activity. Change all passwords or close
the accounts and open new ones with different access codes.
'Phishing' Emails
'Spoofs' are also called 'phishing' emails. 'Phishing' refers to any email
that attempts to get you to share personal or financial information that
can be used to commit fraud.
While 'spoofs' pretend to be a known business or institution, 'phishing'
emails also include offers to collect prizes, requests for help, charity
donations or false notices that you have won a lottery or a trip. They
tell you that to reserve your prize you must give them a credit card
number for verification or as a deposit.
Some emails request your help by offering you a portion of a fund that
will be deposited into your bank account. These are often sent as requests
from rich foreign (particularly Nigerian) nobility or government
officials. They are dangerous groups and should never be contacted or
replied to.
Similar scams are also done over the telephone and are called 'pretexting'.
Always contact the organization or business directly if you are contacted
for charitable donations or account information.
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Special Concern: Online
Privacy
