Email scams are on the rise, and recognizing disingenuous emails is critical to protecting yourself and your Parish or Town Council.
Here are some simple tips to help you identify and avoid falling victim to malicious emails:
1. Look at the Sender’s Email Address
- Legitimate organizations use official email domains (e.g.,
@gov.ukor@companyname.com). - Be cautious of email addresses with misspellings, extra numbers, or generic domains like
@gmail.comor@yahoo.com.
2. Beware of Urgent or Threatening Language
- Scammers often create a sense of urgency or fear (e.g., “Your account will be deactivated today!”).
- Legitimate organizations rarely demand immediate action or threaten consequences via email.
3. Inspect Links Before Clicking
- Hover over links (without clicking) to see where they lead. Ensure the URL matches the official website.
- Watch out for slight misspellings in links, such as
www.paypa1.cominstead ofwww.paypal.com.
4. Don’t Trust Unsolicited Attachments
- Never open attachments from unknown senders or unexpected emails, especially if they claim to be invoices, receipts, or other financial documents.
- Scammers use attachments to deliver malware that can compromise your device.
5. Watch for Grammar and Spelling Errors
- Professional organizations ensure their communications are polished. Poor grammar and strange phrasing are common in fake emails.
6. Check for Generic Greetings
- Legitimate emails often address you by name. Be cautious of greetings like “Dear Customer” or “Dear User.”
7. Verify Suspicious Emails
- If you’re unsure about an email, don’t reply or click on any links.
- Instead, contact the organization directly using a trusted phone number or email address from their official website.
8. Trust Your Instincts
- If something feels off about an email, it probably is. Always err on the side of caution.
By staying vigilant and following these tips, we can collectively safeguard our systems and personal information from cyber threats. If in doubt contact us via support@parishwebandhost.co.uk
