Things You'll Need:
- You just need a computer.
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Step 1
Be sure to use common sense! If the email does not look right or feel right, do not respond to it. Most of these emails contain links to get you to log in and retrieve your information. These emails can be very detailed and even contain the correct logos or graphics. The are some ways you can spot the fakes.
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Step 2
If the email is questionable, contact the company immediately. My friend contacted her bank and they told her right away that it was fraudulent. Many companies have fraud departments now that handle this and you can even email them the message you receive. If there is a problem with your account, most companies will contact you by phone, and hardly ever send emails to their customers!
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Step 3
One think you could do is look at the email address it came from or check out the links they are asking you to click on! Don't directly click on the link or log in! They can't get your information if you don't access anything. Many of these emails that are sent don't contain a corresponding email or links that are associated with their company. For example, you may get an email from a bank that does not contain the bank in the sent email address or links associated. You can waive your mouse over the links and if they go to another crazy website this would definitely be fraudulent.
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Step 4
Almost all of these fraudulent emails contain weird symbols in odd places. There are also spelling errors in the addresses, links, or wording. You may also see some grammatical errors at some point. These are all great signs that the email is not right. Many companies have editors in which the correct email would not contain these issues.
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Step 5
You will see the wording such as immediate action needed or your account will be suspended, revoked, or expired. They attempt to scare you into following the links or logging in right away, thinking that you account has been compromised.
