- The message does not address you by your actual name, but instead addresses you as: “User,” “Customer,” “Client,” “Member,” etc.
- The message contains spelling errors, grammatical errors, awkward wording or phrases, or a combination of all of these.
- The message uses threatening, urgent or alarming language in regards to your account access; e.g. “Your account has been suspended,” “Security Update Required,” “New software download required for continued access,” etc.
- Hovering your mouse pointer over the link or viewing the source message reveals a URL that does not appear related to the company supposedly sending you the message.
- The link within the message is a truncated (shortened or tiny size) URL which then redirects you to the actual web site.
- The message includes attachments that you are asked to download or open.
- You are being asked to provide information that the company should already have or shouldn’t need to know such as: user name and password, payment information, banking information, credit card numbers with security code, birthday, or even Social Security Number.
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