Never is there a good time of year to discover that an email scam has duped you. However, falling prey to one over the holidays can be especially disheartening and disastrous.
Recently, cybercriminals launched a new email phishing scam that has been tricking unwary victims far and wide. We want to make you aware of it so that you can avoid putting your confidential information and finances in danger.
How Does the Scam Work?
Cybercriminals pretend to be someone you know and ask you to buy and send them gift cards. They might first send an email to say they are busy at the moment but need you to respond to them by email because they need you to do something for them.
After you respond, they will ask that you purchase gift cards for specific people or customers as soon as possible and send them out immediately.
What Should You Do if You Receive This Scam In Your Email?
If you receive an email like this in your inbox, here are some tips to help keep you safe:
- DO NOT open any attachments or click on any links.
- DO NOT send any personal or bank account information.
- DO NOT respond to the email.
- DO NOT buy or send any gift cards.
- Via phone or in person, follow up with the person whom the sender is claiming to be to verify that the request is valid.
How Can You Tell if an Email is Legitimate or a Scam?
Here are a few things to look for that will help you determine if an email you receive is a scam or not:
- Misspellings in the name or email address
- An email address that isn’t the one usually used by the person the email sender is claiming to be – Even if the name in the email matches, the domain of the email address might be different.
- Urgency in the message – If a message indicates you must purchase something or send money or information quickly, it might be a scam. Examples of urgency words include “within the hour,” “immediately,” “today,” “right away,” and “as soon as possible.”
How Can You Protect Yourself from Email Scams?
While email phishing scams can be unnerving, they don’t have to be dangerous to you if you take some precautions.
- Make sure you have updated anti-virus software on your devices, and make sure your computer applications and operating system (such as Windows) are up to date.
- Use caution when reading emails, and learn how to spot scams and what to do if a breach happens.
- Realize that cybercriminals are unscrupulous and savvy; phishing scams don’t always look suspicious at face value.
Next Steps for Staying Safe
Although no one is immune to receiving email scams, proper training and knowledge about what to look for will be a strong first line of defense in protecting you and your business.
Find out more about how you can arm yourself against the threat of email scams. Contact Laser Lab about our affordable and effective cyber security training.