How To Spot An Email Scam
In today’s technologically advanced world, where the internet is able to connect people from all corners of the globe, the prevalence of email scams has become a pressing concern for many individuals and small business owners. Email scams, also known as “phishing” attacks, are deceptive emails with fraudulent intent designed to trick the recipient into providing personal information such as login credentials or personal banking information.
We have received many inquiries from clients about one particular phishing scam that is circulating inboxes, claiming to be from the Meta/Facebook support team. These messages claim that your Facebook page is scheduled for deletion due to violations of community policies and standards. The scam typically employs a tactic where recipients are encouraged to click on a link that leads to a page closely resembling the genuine support platform. On this deceptive page, users are prompted to input their personal information. However, once users reach the actual platform, the cybercriminals behind the scam take advantage of this opportunity to change the user’s password, locking them out of their own accounts.
Receiving a message like this can be scary. And even the tech-savvy can be tricked. We have some tips to help you avoid falling prey to these attacks:
- Look at the “from” address. Many of these email scams will say that they are from Support, Manager, or another official-sounding name. However, authentic messages will always be sent from Facebook.com or Meta.com. It’s also important to look specifically at the “from” address and not the “reply-to” address, as the latter can sometimes still display an authentic address.
- Analyze the greeting. These messages will often not address you by your real name, but instead by something generic. Because the scam is typically sent to millions of people, the message will usually address you as a user number or generic title like “User.”
- Evaluate the ambiguity of the message. The sender usually claims that your “content” is problematic in some way. However, specific details about the problem are almost never provided.
Unfortunately, these types of email scams are rampant and there is no real way to keep them from landing in your inbox. By staying informed and exercising caution, we can protect ourselves from the dangers of these scams.
At Thrive Marketing Strategies, we provide comprehensive marketing guidance across all aspects of your business. Our team empowers you to make intelligent digital choices and avoid pitfalls like these. We also provide digital engagement monitoring so that you can focus on your brand with confidence!
For more helpful tips, check out this helpful article from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency!
