Email scams are becoming more sophisticated, so it’s even more important that you remain vigilant and cautious when interacting with your inbox. CyberGuy Reports newsletter subscriber Ken from Battle Creek, Michigan, shares his experience with phishing email scams.
“I keep getting messages from Facebook, ‘A lot has happened since my last visit. You have 3 notifications, log in to see.’ I never log in via email, I’ll open my laptop, go to Facebook, and then, 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 site to check for email or anything you buy, not because the email says you bought something and I get a lot of that too. Or they expect you to call a number to dispute the charge discussion.” —Ken, Battle Creek, MI
If you receive emails similar to what Ken described above, you should of course proceed with caution, as while they can sometimes prove to be legitimate, they can also be easily imitated by scammers. It is best not to click on this email as it may lead you to the following page:looks like Just like Facebook. Instead, visit the Facebook Page through a browser or app, and log in with your username and password.
Let’s take a look at what to avoid in phishing emails and how to further protect yourself.
Be careful when viewing emails that claim to be from Facebook. (CyberGuy.com)
Why shouldn’t I fully trust social media notifications via email?
Many of us have social media accounts through platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, etc. When you are logged into these sites, you will usually receive a notification within the app or website whenever you receive an update such as a new follower, likes on a post, etc. While these notifications are primarily delivered through the app or website, some platforms may also offer the option to receive email notifications of certain activities or events. Scammers know this and sometimes send emails that appear to be official email notifications.
What can I do 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 use certain services that will warn us if we are being scammed. Here are some of my suggestions.
Enable spam filter
Most email service providers offer built-in spam filters that automatically detect and divert suspicious emails to your spam or junk folder. Be sure to enable these filters to reduce the number of scam emails reaching your inbox. Here are some of my tips to help you outsmart spammers and put an end to unsolicited email.
Verify email address and domain
Need Facebook help desperately?don’t be fooled
Scammers often use email addresses that mimic legitimate companies or organizations like Facebook. Double-check the sender’s email address and verify the domain name to make sure it matches an official website or known contact details for a company or individual.
Be wary of urgent requests
Scammers often create a sense of urgency to trick you into taking immediate action. Beware of emails claiming you have been notified of a prize, have an outstanding bill, or need to provide personal information urgently.
Please take some time to verify the authenticity of such requests before responding or providing any sensitive information.
Activate 2-step verification
Protecting your account with 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
Foolproof steps to help protect your Facebook account from being hacked
Some of us may use Facebook to pay with Meta Pay, which requires you to link a debit or credit card to your account. While this is a handy feature, it can also put you at risk of your banking information being compromised.
Make sure to check your bank and credit card accounts regularly so you can quickly spot any bogus transactions and notify your bank or credit card company.
Phishing email scams may try to convince you that you need to pay a fee, or that your credit or debit card has been used for something, so you should check the source before trusting a random email.
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Warning on new email scam targeting Facebook and Apple users
Keep antivirus software running aggressively on all your devices
The best way to protect yourself from data breaches is to install antivirus protection on all your devices. If you have good antivirus software installed, you can keep hackers out of your device. Deploying antivirus software on your device will help ensure that you prevent clicking on any potentially malicious links that could install malware on your device, allowing hackers to access your personal information.
See my expert review Best Antivirus Protection For your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices, go to CyberGuy.com/LockUpYourTech.
Report Phishing Attempts
If you receive a phishing email, please report it to your email service provider. Most providers have mechanisms for identifying and blocking malicious senders. Additionally, you can report phishing attempts to organizations such as the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) or the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
Don’t Fall Into the “Look Who’s Dead” Facebook Message Trap
Kurt’s key takeaways
Sadly, email scams are becoming more sophisticated, requiring you to be more vigilant and cautious. It is important to avoid logging in via email notifications and instead visit the official website or app to check for notifications.
Implementing measures such as enabling spam filters, verifying email addresses, being vigilant for urgent requests, using a secure password manager, regularly checking credit and bank accounts, installing antivirus software on all devices, and reporting phishing attempts can further prevent scams. Be proactive in protecting your online security.
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