3 Signs of a Phishing Attack
Phishing attacks are the main way scammers trick you into giving up your personal information. These messages and phone calls can look and sound convincing. But any information you provide or links you click can put your identity in danger.
So, how can you tell if a message is from a scammer?
Scammers will often try to “spoof” their contact information to make it look like they’re coming from an official number or email. But if you look closely, you’ll see that they’re different from what's listed on the supposed sender's site.
An example of a phishing email. Look at the nonsensical email address below
Phishing messages usually don’t address you by name, may include typos, and often use threats, urgency, or promises to spur action. They'll also often include links, attachments, or QR codes with convincing reasons why you should click on or scan them.
If you have any suspicions, don’t respond or click on links or attachments in these messages. Instead, contact the company directly using the information listed on their website.
Signs of a Phishing attack
- A government agency or bank calling for personal information or money. Bank officials and government employees must follow strict regulations during phone calls. Any threats or demands for money are scams.
- An email or text asking for a multi-factor authentication (MFA) code or SMS OTP (one time password). Companies send these verification codes via email or text to confirm your identity. Anyone asking for them is a scammer.
- Requests for payment only in gift cards, money orders, or cryptocurrency. Only fraudsters will request gift cards or other untraceable payments. Legitimate businesses will always offer traditional payment options.
