May 19, 2020
We have been seeing a lot of Spear-Phishing emails lately. This is when a scammer sends you an email impersonating a person or company you know. Some emails want you to click on a button or link and ask you to fill in personal financial information. Others want you to respond to them and send money, usually in the form of a gift card. Note: If you look closely at the email address, you might see that something is not right.
What do you do when you get one of these emails – they usually sound URGENT?
Don’t Panic!
Don’t Click on anything.
Take your time and read the entire email.
Now, think!
Does this sound right? Would this person do this? Does it look like it is really their email address?
Use your intuition. If in doubt, try reaching the person or company by phone (yeah, 20th century style). Or call your favorite neighborhood tech guy.
NEVER enter personal information, like account numbers, etc., into a website you reached from an email.
NEVER give money to anyone who contacts you via email – this includes providing gift card information.
Here is a link at AARP regarding spear phishing. Also, on their Scams and Frauds page, AARP lists all the types of online scams and how to protect yourself from them.
