Sometimes it’s easy to spot spam when the contents of the email claims you have won millions of pounds or poor grammar show the illegitimacy of a message. However, spam is becoming more and more complicated so it’s very easy for it to land in your inbox and be taken as legit.
Here are some questions to ask yourself if you come across emails that you suspect are spam.
Is the email relevant?
An easy way of spotting real emails from the fake is to consider their relevance. For example, if you have been emailed by a bank that you do not have an account with claiming that your account has been hacked then it’s most likely fake. Always think rationally about the emails you receive.
Do the contents of the email look legit?
Despite spam emails looking more and more realistic, scammers often miss out on fine details and this gives away the fact that it’s spam. Take a look at the email address of the sender. Does it look legit or does it include somebody’s name? Are there spelling mistakes or logos that appear different? If you’re uncertain about an email, do not take it at face value.
Are you being asked for personal information?
The main purpose of spam emails is usually to gain personal information such as passwords, bank details, addresses and more. If you are being asked for personal information by someone you don’t know there is probably malicious intent behind the email. Furthermore, if you receive an email from somebody you know or your bank it’s always best to contact them via phone to confirm if it was them or not.