The "Peace of Mind" Guide: 3 Signs of a Phishing Scam
The "Peace of Mind" Guide: 3 Signs of a Phishing Scam
We've all seen them: the urgent emails claiming your account has been compromised, the text saying you have a package waiting, or an invite from a relative that you haven't spoken to in ages - if you just click this one link.
In the tech world, we call this Phishing. But at Village Tech, we call it something simpler: Digital Bait. A scammer is "fishing" for your private information, and they're hoping you'll bite.
The good news? Scammers almost always leave a digital trail. Here are three signs that an email is actually a scam in disguise.
The Fake Sense of Urgency
Scammers want you to act before you think. They use panic language like"Your account will be deleted in 24 hours"
"Suspicious activity detected - login now to secure your funds."
"Final Notice: You owe a balance"
The translation: Real companies (like your bank or government agency) almost never send urgent threats via email or text. If an email makes your heart race, that's your first red flag.
The Masked Sender Address
A scammer can make an email look like it's from Amazon or Netflix. However, they can't hide their true identity if you know where to look.
The translation: On your computer or phone, click or tap on the "From" name. If the email says it's from "Apple Support" but the actual email address is something gibberish like support-info@xyz-123-service.com, it's a fake. Always check the email address!
The Generic Greeting
If you've done business with a company for years, they know your name. Scammers, on the other hand, are sending out thousands of emails at once and don't have your specific details.
The translation: Be wary of emails that start with Dear Valued Customer or Dear [Your email address]. If a company you trust doesn't use your name, they probably aren't the company they claim to be.
How to Stay Safe
The best rule of thumb? Never click the link.
If you get an email from "your bank" that looks suspicious, don't click anything in the email. Instead, report email as phishing or scam and follow up with the bank to confirm.
Need a Digital Safety Checkup?
At Village Tech, we specialize in providing Peace of Mind. We can help you
Check your computer for hidden viruses or threats.
Secure your accounts with a simple password system.
Train you on how to spot the latest scams targeting our community.