Scam emails are becoming increasingly convincing, making it harder than ever to tell the difference between a legitimate message and a dangerous phishing attempt.
While some suspicious emails are easy to spot, others use familiar names, urgent warnings, and alarming subject lines to trick people into clicking harmful links or sharing personal information. There are two types of emails in particular that you should never click on without verifying their legitimacy first. Read more about them below.
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1. 'Urgent' Bank Alert Emails
Be cautious of emails claiming there is an urgent issue with your bank account, especially those warning about suspicious activity, frozen accounts, or unauthorized transactions. Scammers often use alarming language to pressure recipients into clicking a link and entering their banking information. Instead of clicking anything in the email, visit your bank's official website or app directly to check whether there is actually a problem.
"Of course, there are sometimes legitimate security alerts, but scammers are known to impersonate your bank, email provider, and countless other trusted services via email," explains tech product pro Aimee Simpson. "The panic caused by these emails can lead people to click malicious links designed to get them to hand over their personal data and credentials, such as banking passwords. Always navigate directly to the organization's website or app rather than using the link in the email."
2. Emails From Loved Ones Sent From Unknown Addresses
An email that appears to come from a friend or family member can also be a phishing attempt, particularly if it arrives from an unfamiliar email address. Scammers may impersonate loved ones and send messages asking for money, personal information, or help opening an attachment. If something seems unusual, avoid clicking any links or downloading files, and contact the person through a phone number or email address you already know to confirm they actually sent it.
"Their goal is to become your friend, your confidant, and even an online romantic partner," notes computer scientist Jason Hong. "They will also convince you to invest your money in Bitcoin (on a fake site that they own), or that they have an emergency and really need money from you right now."
