The first line of defense against scam email is YOU, although your devices and email provider offer some help. And the fraudsters are getting so good at what they do even the most vigilant of us can suffer the consequences. I fell victim to a notorious “Punchbowl invitation” attack in February. I wouldn’t wish the results on anyone. Take the time now to read these tips and defend your inbox against scam email in the future.
Keep An Eye Out for These Common Scam Emails
Fraudulent emails appear to be from legitimate companies or friends.
Phishing emails try to get you to share personal information when you click on links or interact with them.
Fake promotions offer free products or prizes.
Spam sends the same email sent to huge numbers of recipients.
Any of the above can contain malicious links which, when clicked, can reveal personal data and contacts to fraudsters.
Clues: When to Get Suspicious
- The email has spelling or grammar errors.
- The email contains a link which you must click to “learn more,” “login” or take other actions.
- The message threatens the loss of your photos unless you take action.
- The subject is “Payment Declined.”
- An email says your credit card will be charged for something you didn’t order.
- You’re notified an account will be closed unless you reply.
- The email appears to be from a friend and the subject is “Look at These Photos I found.”
- You get an email or invitation from someone you haven’t heard from in years. Sadly, I got one from a friend who died 3 years ago. To avoid sending scam emails to friends and family after you’re gone, login to your email and social media accounts and add legacy information, which authorizes someone to close your account if you can’t.
Defense Tactics
Never follow links, open attachments or reply to suspicious emails.
Check to see who the email is really from.
Check the email address to the right of the “From” name to see if it matches the address of a known company or friend. If you’re still not sure whether the email is legitimate, don’t use the “reply to” address to inquire. Contact the company or friend in question in a separate email generated from your email account. Fraudsters can intercept replies and assure victims that their emails are safe to open. Don’t blame friends whose hacked email addresses delivered the scam. It could happen to you. If you accidentally click on a link, fraudsters may already have gotten into your contact list. Consider changing your email password. And be prepared to hear from friends. Unless they’ve learned how to defend their inboxes from scam emails, they may soon be receiving one from “you.”
Use your device’s security and privacy features.
Go to “settings” on your computer, tablet and mobile phone. Enter your preferences in the Security and/or Privacy settings.
Use your email provider’s security and privacy features.
Check your email provider’s settings.Open your email account and look for “Settings.” Check for options labeled “Junk Email” or “Spam.” Safety features offered depend on your provider (Gmail, Yahoo, Apple, iCloud, Outlook, etc..)
Block a sender. I use gmail on a MAC. To block a sender I open the email, choose the sender’s name, click the “drop down” icon to the right then click “Block Sender.” If needed, check your email provider’s instructions for “how to block a sender” on your devices.
Unsubscribe. Look for unsubscribe links at the top and bottom of an email. If you subscribed originally but are no longer interested, that’s the nice way to keep unwanted email out of your inbox. It may be easier to mark it as spam or junk, but that gives the sender’s reputation with email providers a black mark and may prevent other subscribers from getting their email. If you try to unsubscribe but still get emails, mark them as Spam. Respectable emailers should make it easy to unsubscribe.
Mark as Spam or Junk. If you didn’t subscribe or give permission for a sender to send email, go ahead and mark it as Spam or Junk. If you previously subscribed or chose to accept emails from the sender, please unsubscribe instead. (See above.)
Avoid publicly posting your email address in a form usable by bots.
If you post your actual email address on social media and public sites like Nextdoor you’re asking for trouble. To display your email address without making it usable by bots, try replacing “@” with “[at]” or “.com” with “[dot.com]”. You can also display it as a non-clickable screenshot or jpeg. These methods allow humans to read the address while confusing automated scrapers.
If you sign up for anything, look for a “Send Me Offers” checkbox.
If you don’t want email from them, make sure it’s not marked. Some websites have the “Send Me Offers” box checked by default.
Subscribe to an online security service.
They’re all a little different, so be sure to compare plans.
Here are two popular options:
Norton Plans start at $39.99 the first year, $94.99 thereafter.
McAfee Plans start at $49.99 the first year, $149 thereafter.
Use Separate Accounts to Save Time Checking Email
I have two email accounts for personal email. My Gmail address is for friends and family. My iCloud address is the one I use for businesses, subscriptions, service providers and other organizations. In the morning I check my personal account. Then I speed through the iCloud emails, dragging the few I need or want to read to my personal account and deleting the rest. When I’m short on time I know it’s OK to wait ’til later to check the iCloud account.
Now, About Those Unwanted Robocalls…
I’m saving that topic for another post. Until then the best advice is to not answer unidentified phone calls. Legitimate callers can leave a message in voice mail. It’s better to ignore robocalls than decline them. Answering or declining tells them the number is active. You can also register with the FTC’s “do not call list” at www.donotcall.gov. My home landline, business landline and mobile number have been registered since 2015. I’m still plagued with robocalls. But maybe not as many as I would have been.
Find More Links You Can Really Use at HabiLinks Guide
The internet is full of great resources, but page after page of search results can be too much of a good thing! And AI results come with the built in disclaimer “AI can make mistakes, so double-check responses.” At HabiLinks, humans search for useful information in eighteen lifestyle categories, so you don’t have to. When we find the link with the most useful content it becomes a HabiLink, one of the chosen few! Unlike other web guides or review sites, we don’t accept payment for listings. We simply think they’re the best at what they do. You’ll find more helpful Privacy and Security information in the Home Office & Productivity category at HabiLinks. When you’re looking for ways to defend against scam email you can depend on HabiLinks and the HabiTalk blog for links you can really use.
Habitudes Record Keepers are Now Available on Etsy
In addition to the Habitudes website, you can now purchase our downloadable, word processor-based personal and household record keepers at our new Etsy store.