Email scams have become increasingly sophisticated, making it all the more important that you remain vigilant and cautious when interacting with your inbox. Ken, a CyberGuy Report newsletter subscriber from Battle Creek, Michigan, shares his encounter with a phishing email scam.
“I keep getting these messages from Facebook, ‘A lot has happened since last visit. You have 3 notifications, log in to see.’ I never log in via email, I go to my laptop and I go to Facebook and well, I don’t have any notifications to see. My rule is never to log in via email. If you do, you should be safe. Always go to the main website to verify information about any emails or purchases you’ve made, not because an email says you bought something, which I also get. Or they want you to call a number to dispute the charges.—Ken, Battle Creek, Michigan
If you ever receive an email similar to what Ken describes above, you should definitely proceed with caution because while they sometimes turn out to be legitimate, they can also be easily impersonated by a scammer. It is best that you do not click on this email which may lead you to a page thatlooks like facebook. Instead, go to the Facebook homepage on a browser or your app and log in with your username and password.
Let’s see what to avoid in a phishing email and how you can further protect yourself.
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Be careful when viewing emails claiming to be from Facebook. (CyberGuy.com)
Why shouldn’t I completely trust a social media email notification?
Many of us have social media accounts through platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads and others. When you are logged into these sites, you usually get notifications in the app or website whenever you receive updates such as new followers, likes on posts, etc. While these notifications are primarily delivered through the app or website, some platforms may also offer the option to receive email notifications for certain activities or events. Scammers know this and sometimes send emails that look like official email notifications.
What steps can I take to avoid and protect myself from these phishing scams?
We cannot completely prevent scammers from sending us these emails. However, there are certain steps we can take and services we can use to notify us when we encounter a scam. Here are some of my suggestions.
Enable spam filters
Most email service providers offer built-in spam filters that automatically detect and divert suspicious emails to the spam or junk folder. Be sure to enable these filters to reduce the number of fraudulent emails reaching your inbox. Here are some of my tips for outsmarting spammers and stopping unsolicited emails.
Verify email addresses and domains
DO YOU DESERTLY NEED HELP FROM FACEBOOK? DO NOT FALL FOR THIS SCAM
Scammers often use email addresses that impersonate legitimate companies or organizations like Facebook. Check the sender’s email address and check the domain to make sure it matches the official website or known contact information for the company or individual.
Beware of urgent requests
Scammers often create a sense of urgency to get you to act immediately. Be wary of emails claiming you’ve received a notification that you’ve won a prize, have an outstanding bill, or need to provide personal information urgently.
Take a moment to verify the authenticity of these requests before responding or providing sensitive information.
Enable two-step verification
Securing your accounts using two-step verification (also known as two-factor authentication or 2FA) is an effective way to add an extra layer of security to your account.
Check your credit and bank accounts regularly
GUARANTEE STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR FACEBOOK ACCOUNT AGAINST HACKERS
Some of us can use Facebook to pay for things through Meta Pay, which requires you to have a debit or credit card connected to your account. While this is a handy feature, it can also put you at risk of having your banking information compromised.
Be sure to check your bank and credit card accounts regularly to catch any fake transactions early and notify your bank or credit card company.
A phishing email scam may try to convince you that you have a charge to pay or that your credit or debit card has been used for something, so you should verify the source first before trusting a random email.
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WARNING ABOUT NEW EMAIL SCAMS TARGETING FACEBOOK AND APPLE USERS
Have antivirus software running on all your devices
The best way to protect yourself against a data breach is to install virus protection on all your devices. It is possible to prevent hackers from accessing your devices if you have good antivirus software installed. Deploying anti-virus software on your devices will prevent you from clicking on potentially malicious links that can install malware on your devices, allowing hackers to gain access to your personal information.
See my expert opinion best virus protection for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices by visiting CyberGuy.com/LockUpYourTech.
Report phishing attempts
If you receive a phishing email, report it to your email service provider. Most providers have mechanisms in place to identify and block malicious senders. Additionally, you can also report phishing attempts to organizations such as the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) or the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
DON’T FALL INTO THIS “LOOK WHO’S DEAD” FACEBOOK MESSAGE TRAP
Kurt’s main takeaways
Email scams have unfortunately become more and more sophisticated, forcing you to be even more vigilant and cautious. It is essential to avoid logging in via email notifications and visiting the official website or app to check the notifications.
Implementing measures such as enabling spam filters, verifying email addresses, distrusting urgent requests, using a secure password manager, checking credit and bank accounts regularly, having anti-virus software on all devices, and reporting phishing attempts can increase protection against scams. Stay proactive in safeguarding your online security.
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