How to identify Spoof Phishing emails - Protect yourself from identity theft.
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How to Identify Spoof and Phishing Emails - Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
Summary
Learn how to protect yourself from spoof and fraudulent emails to safeguard your identity.Keywords
spoof, phishing, fraud, spoof emailsWhat is a Spoof Email?
Spoof or phishing emails impersonate companies or banks, such as eBay, PayPal, or Barclays. They usually contain a link that directs you to a fake login page, where scammers try to steal your personal information. By entering your details on these sites, you inadvertently provide fraudsters with the information they need to commit identity theft.
How Do Scammers Get My Email Address?
Scammers often obtain your email address through random guesses or by collecting information from the web. They send out thousands of bogus emails, relying on chance that some will reach real users. If your email is public on forums or websites, it’s vulnerable. Previous victims are often targeted again.
How to Identify these Emails
Four Simple Tests
To verify if an email is genuine, it must pass all four tests below. Failing any one indicates a spoof.
1. Who is the Email Addressed To?
- Spoof emails often use generic terms like "Dear eBay user," instead of your name. Genuine companies address you by the name you registered with them. If the email uses generic greetings, it’s likely a spoof. However, even personalized emails should be examined further.
2. Where Does the Link Go?
- Hover over any link in the email without clicking. A spoof link might look like: `http://slp.clinker.net.mx/.sh/.a/index.htm`. A genuine link for a site like eBay should contain the company name immediately after `http://`, e.g., `http://cgi.ebay.com`.
3. Who Really Sent the Email?
- Check the message’s full header to trace its origin. Instructions vary by email provider. Look for "Received From"; a genuine email will match the sender. For example, a real eBay email won’t originate from Yahoo.
4. Verify Secure Connection
- Only try this if the email passes the previous tests. Secure login pages begin with `https://` and display a padlock icon. Pages that start with `http://` or lack a padlock are spoofs.
If You’re Unsure
If you still doubt an email's authenticity, do not click any links. Instead, contact the company directly.Other Tips for Spotting Spoofs
1. Check for Errors
- Spelling or grammatical mistakes often indicate a scam.
2. Ad Content
- Genuine emails from companies like eBay won’t contain irrelevant ads.
3. Security Warnings
- Some email platforms like Hotmail alert you if an email's sender ID cannot be verified.
4. Requests for PIN
- Legitimate companies will never ask for your PIN via email.
5. False Urgency
- Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure you into acting quickly.
6. eBay Messages
- Verify eBay emails in your "My Messages" section. If it’s not there, it’s probably a spoof.
7. Email Address Spoofing
- Scammers can make emails appear to be from genuine addresses. Be cautious regardless of the sender's email.
8. eBay Toolbar
- Consider downloading the free eBay toolbar, which alerts you to spoof websites.
Protect your personal information by being vigilant and staying informed about these common scams. Always verify suspicious emails before interacting with them.
For more resources on online safety, explore Dan Thompson’s website and receive six free e-books at [elpassobooks.co.uk](http://www.elpassobooks.co.uk).
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