How to avoid an email scam

Scammers CLAIM they belong to an organization you know.

Scammers often pretend to be an organisation or person you know and trust (eg government, police, banks...). They use real names and logos to look authentic.

Scammers say there is a PROBLEM or a PRIZE.

They might say you are in trouble with the government. You owe money, you received money, or there is a problem with your account. Or someone in your family had an emergency. Or that there is a virus on your computer.

Something that catches your eye and needs urgent action!

Scammers urge you to act IMMEDIATELY.

Scammers want you to act before you have time to think.

Relax and reflect!

Scammers tell you to PAY in a specific way.

They often insist that you pay using cryptocurrency, wire money through a company like MoneyGram or Western Union, or put money on a gift card and then give them the number on the back .

Some will send you a check (which later turns out to be fake), then tell you to deposit it and send them the money.

How to avoid a scam

Don't give out your personal or financial information in response to a request you weren't expecting. Honest organizations won't call, email, or text asking for your personal information, such as your social security, bank account, or credit card numbers.

If you receive an email or text message from a company you do business with that you think is real, it's always best not to click on any links. Instead, contact them using a website you know is trustworthy.

Resist the pressure to act immediately. Honest companies will give you time to make a decision. Anyone who pressures you to pay or give them your personal information is a scammer.

Know how scammers tell you to pay. Never pay someone who insists you pay with cryptocurrency, a wire transfer service like Western Union or MoneyGram, or a gift card. And never deposit a check and send money back to someone. Stop and talk to someone you trust.

Before you do anything else, tell someone - a friend, family member, neighbor - what happened. Talking about it might help you realize it's a scam.