How to Spot Dangerous Emails and Prevent Getting Caught up in Fraudulent Online Email Scams
Posted: Tuesday, January 19, 2010
by Connor Davidson
In the information age everything has become so much simpler. If you are reading this article the chances are you've just zoomed off a search engine and are about to leave once you've got what you need. Did you walk down to the local library to haul a huge book on the topic all the way home? No you didn't. In much the same way criminals have turned to the internet. All the running , shooting and looting is not cut out for "Al Ca-nerd". So many criminals have taken to the internet to scam you out of your money and personal details.
Certain topics of email are used over and over again. These topics are not always spam but are an indication that they are. Here is a list of the most common topics for dodgy emails:
- Lottery Scans if you did not enter you're not going to win.
- Computer Security Update emails a euphemism for Trojan horse, virus, spyware or ad ware. Never install the attached files. Go directly to an accredited company like Norton or McAcfee for updates.
- Phishing Scams never email anyone your pin, or bank numbers or follow links in emails to give away such sensitive information.
- Giveaway emails need a new TV? Well go out and buy one random strangers don't just give you one for the hell of it especially if they are a milti-billion dollar company.
- "Nigerian Scam" (or 419's) you get an email from someone who needs your help to get millions out of a bank account and you will get' a share of the cash. Now, ask yourself one question: if the scammers knew about a bank account worth tens of millions would they tell you about it?
There are many sites on the internet dedicated to revealing internet scams such as Hoax Slayer and Scam Dex. Search the subject of the email and the email address. Hopefully one of these sites will pop up and then you will know that it is a scam.
If it is from Someone you Know it Does not Mean you Should Trust it
Say you get an email from your mum or best friend asking for a small amount of money or your new phone number etc still be aware. I'm not saying be suspicious of the people you just have to be sure that it was them that sent it. Many scammers gain access to email accounts and take them over to send these messages so that they look like they are genuine. Here are a few things to look out for and consider:
- How many people was it sent to? If it was sent to large numbers of people: beware.
- Do you notice any differences in writing style?
- Is the email signed with the persons name? Does that person usually do that?
- Is the grammar and spelling exceptionally poor compared to normal?
Is the email Threatening?
These are the worst kind of email. I have received emails telling me to hand over so much money or I would get this, that or, the next thing. Including being decapitated by Mickey Mouse. These type should be reported immediately.
The problem with these types of scam is if you pay up, you will almost certainly get the same threats. You will get emails like "your last payment showed us your location, we now know where you live". These types of messages are very effective and make people a lot of money.
Forwarding
If an email requests that you forward it beware. If the email is spam you are doing the dirty work for the scammers. Furthermore people in your contacts who your forward these to will get pretty annoyed at you.
Harvesters
If you get an email that wants you to reply to it and you don't know anything about it beware. For example it may ask you to email back a survey or email them to find out more about something. These are usually used to collect email address to sell to other spammers. By you replying you are showing spammers that you are vulnerable and thus they want to use you.
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The bottom line is, yet again, question everything. These people are dangerous and you must be wary of them. It is only by everyone boycotting these scams that we can kill them off.
Finally, ensure that you report these. First click the report spam button on your email and then send it to one of the 'scam revealer' websites that I mentioned earlier.
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Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)» left by efoghorjos
from Bonny Island, Nigeria 2 years 100 days ago.
18 fans. Follow efoghorjos on twitter!Nice and educative write-up, but I am not comfortable with the use of 'Nigeria'. There are well over 200 countries in the world involved in this spamming so why trying to give Nigeria a bad name?It is not my term it is just a generic term for the scam. I also put it in "" to show that it is so called.Thanks for the comment.
Thanks for the information. It is very valuable to everyone. I'll beware.Thanks for the comment.
Hi Connor,Indeed, Internet has its pros and cons as long we don't simply trust all that's sent to you from people we don't know at all. This is very neatly put and well written .Informative article.HildaThanks for the comment.
A recent article suggested changing to almost any browser other than Explorer as it is so easily hacked. Foxfire was suggested. I changed and it seems much faster. What do you think about this?I'm on firefox now and it is reasonably fast.Thanks for the comment.A computer expert/friend suggested I do the same and I have been using Firefox. I have had much less problems with "infections" and my old computer works as good as it did when it was new.
Yeah, if it's not from your mom delete it ;=) Good article C.Thanks for the comment.
Great content Connor--I learned about sites I had no idea of. I'll refer to this article when the need arises--thanks...Thanks for the comment.
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