For those even a little bit internet savvy, it used to be relatively easy to spot a scam email. The tell-tale signs were usually obvious. The email might have included typos, wonky formatting, or outlandish requests. If an email like that landed in your inbox, you might have even engaged in a bit of scambaiting, playing with the scammer to waste their time and resources.
Today, scam emails look a little different. They aren’t just harder to spot, but are becoming increasingly personal in their targeting. Even experts can be duped.
The Anatomy of a Scam Email
Today’s scam emails often look professional and exceptionally designed, sometimes even mimicking the design of a trusted source. No longer is it a stranger or unknown company flooding your inbox with strange requests or incredible services—now it’s a boss, colleague, friend, or family member reaching out. Scam emails may even include official branding, such as logos, mottos, or signatures, in order to mimic communications from a real, well-known company.
These convincing emails will often contain links or attachments used for phishing or to inject malware. They may include urgent requests for money or assistance. If they appear to be from a boss or your company’s CEO, they may include instructions to complete a money transfer or another business-related task involving moving money around. While some of these emails may still contain hints of something fishy, after a busy, long, or stressful day, a potential victim may not think too closely about it, especially if the email is apparently coming from someone they know.
Who’s at Risk?
Email scams have often targeted people seen as vulnerable. That includes those in a difficult financial situation, pensioners, or non-digital natives. While these demographics are still at risk for being targeted, they’re no longer the only individuals being aggressively targeted by scammers.
Now, scammers are targeting anyone whose information can be accessed on social media or discovered through basic internet searches. With unprecedented access to a person’s life details—birthday, job title, general location, family members, probable colleagues, mentors, alma mater, field of study, and so much more—they are able to create personalized content. They can leverage relationship dynamics between employees, families, or professional acquaintances. They can successfully target almost anyone.
How to Protect Yourself
Even if you forsake all social media, your information is probably already out there. You can’t likely avoid receiving scam attempts in your inbox. You can make it harder for scammers to count you as a successful target:
- Think twice, even if you receive a request from trusted people in your circle or extended circle.
- Double-check email addresses (scammers may use public accounts like Gmail to impersonate a trusted contact who would otherwise contact you with an official email).
- Listen to your instinct if something seems weird.
- Verify requests in other ways (pick up the phone or—better yet—if that person works in your building, check with them in person.
- Use a VPN. A VPN can mask your IP from scammers. Some VPN services may even notify you if you’re accessing a link that is being used for phishing.
- Don’t engage with scam emails, even in the name of scambaiting or entertainment.
Free VPN or Paid VPN
VPN services are more accessible today than ever before. There are many different types of services, ranging from all-inclusive to basic. Some are available for free. If you’re looking for reliable recommendations, we suggest check out the best VPN reddit for user reviews and top suggestions.
Pros of a free VPN:
- Affordable
- Can mask your IP
Cons of a free VPN:
- Some have policies that log your location, usage, or browsing data
- Often have fewer server options
- May be unreliable
Premium VPN services are worth the investment when compared to a free VPN service. They tend to have stronger privacy policies, more server locations, faster speeds, and additional features that can help protect you from scam and fraud attempts.
The Ongoing Battle Against Email Fraud
Scam literacy has never been more important. Social media is already part of the daily lives of billions around the globe. AI is becoming part of the everyday lives of professionals, students, and, likely soon, the average person. This is making it easier for scammers to perfect their craft, and harder for potential targets to realize what’s happening before it’s too late.
The best defense is to apply habitual skepticism to online, over-the-phone, and video communications. Practical tools can add another layer of protection, even sometimes automating certain protective practices. One thing is for sure: scammers are not likely to retire en masse anytime soon.
