Spotting and avoiding suspicious emails and phone calls
It's not always clear you're being targeted. Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, take your time and don’t rush into providing any personal details or sending monies. It’s okay to hang up the phone, ignore emails and to obtain information by researching trusted sources.
Urgency
Any message that says ‘Reply Now’ to avoid losing money, have your account deleted or access cut-off are designed to panic you. Stop. Take your time. Investigate.
Unexpected phone calls or emails
Don’t trust unexpected emails or cold call phone calls when trying to get you to reveal personal information or hand over money. Be suspicious and challenge.
Requests for personal information and passwords
Never confirm your password or login details via email or over the phone. If in doubt, find the official company website or contact information number independently and call to check.
Emails with suspicious or mismatched URLs
These may look valid but can be subtly different from the real website address. Hover your mouse over the link to reveal the actual destination address and check the details. If in doubt don't click.
Poor spelling or grammar in emails
Major organisations have legal, marketing and publicity checks. It’s rare their communications will carry these kinds of mistakes. Human error happens, so don’t base your decision on this alone.
