How to Spot a Scam Email, Text Message or Call
21 Feb 2023
How to spot a scam email, text message or call
It used to be easier to spot and recognise online scams. Cyber criminals may commonly attempt to contact you via email, phone call, text (SMS message) or via social media. They will often pretend to either be someone or an organisation you trust.
They might contain bad spelling or grammar, come from an unusual email address, or feature imagery or design that feels ‘off’. But scams are getting smarter and some even fool the experts. In this article we discuss methods to recognise the signs that someone is trying to scam you or your business and learn how to check if a message you have received is genuine.
Spotting scam messages or calls
Scammers will always work fast and try to quickly gain your trust. The sole aim is to pressure you into acting without thinking. If any message or call makes you suspicious, first stop and break the contact. Also, it is worth considering the language the message contains and how it is used. According to the NCSC, most scams often feature one or more of these simple signs:
1. Authority
The message is claiming to be from someone official. For example, your bank, doctor, a solicitor, or a government department. Criminals often pretend to be important people or organisations to trick you into doing what they want, and they could also be claiming to be members of the senior management team.
2. Urgency
If you are told you have a limited time to respond, such as 'within 24 hours' or 'immediately', then criminals often threaten you with fines or other negative consequences. These pressure tactics usually work when you are busy and not applying as much as attention as usual.
3. Emotion
Does the message make you panic, fearful, hopeful, or curious? Criminals often use threatening language, make false claims of support, or tease you into wanting to find out more.
4. Scarcity
Is the message offering something in short supply, like concert tickets, money or government loans, short-term discounts, business offers, or a cure for medical conditions? Fear of missing out on a good deal or opportunity can make you respond quickly.
5. Current events
Are you expecting to see a message like this? Criminals often exploit current news stories, big events, or specific times of year (like tax reporting) to make their scam seem more relevant to you or your business.
How to check if a message is genuine
If you have any doubts about a message, always contact the organisation directly. Don’t use the numbers or address in the message – use the details from their official website.
Remember, your bank or your organisations bank (or any other official source) will never ask you to supply personal or confidential information via email or call and ask you to confirm bank account details. If you suspect someone is not who they claim to be, always hang up and contact the organisation directly. If you have paper statements or a credit card from the organisation, official contact details are often written on them.
If you are an IT Manager or responsible for security in your organisation, read our suggestions for monitoring and reducing business email compromise.
How to report suspicious communications
If you have received a suspicious message or call or visited a suspicious website, you should report it via the official NCSC links.
- Report a scam email
- Report as scam text message
- Report a scam website
- Report a scam phone call
- Report a scam advert
Source: SecurityWise