How to recognise spam mail

Here are some common characteristics of spam mail that can help you recognize it:

  1. Urgency: Spam emails often create a sense of urgency, trying to get you to act quickly without thinking. Be wary of emails that claim you need to take immediate action to avoid missing out on a deal or to prevent a problem.
  2. Generic greetings: Legitimate companies usually address you by name, while spam emails often use generic greetings like "Dear customer" or "Hello there."
  3. Poor grammar and spelling: Spam emails often contain grammatical errors, typos, and awkward phrasing. Legitimate companies usually have a professional tone and writing style.
  4. Suspicious links and attachments: Be cautious of emails with links or attachments from unknown senders. These may contain malware, viruses, or phishing scams.
  5. Unsolicited emails: If you didn't request information or a quote from a company, it's likely spam.
  6. Overly promotional language: Spam emails often use exaggerated language to try to get your attention. Legitimate companies usually focus on providing value rather than making outlandish claims.
  7. Lack of personalization: Legitimate companies usually tailor their emails to your specific interests or needs. Spam emails often lack personalization and are generic in nature.
  8. Unusual sender addresses: Be wary of emails from senders with unusual or suspicious addresses, such as those with multiple numbers or special characters.
  9. Unsolicited offers: If you didn't ask for a quote or offer, it's likely spam.
  10. Multiple emails from the same sender: Legitimate companies usually don't send multiple emails in a short period. Spam emails often come from the same sender multiple times.
  11. No clear subject line: Legitimate emails usually have a clear and descriptive subject line. Spam emails often have vague or misleading subject lines.
  12. No clear purpose: Legitimate emails usually have a clear purpose or goal. Spam emails often lack a clear purpose or try to confuse you.
  13. Unusual formatting: Spam emails often have unusual formatting, such as excessive use of bold or italic text, or strange font sizes.
  14. No clear company information: Legitimate companies usually provide clear company information, such as a physical address and contact details. Spam emails often lack this information.
  15. Unsolicited requests for personal information: Legitimate companies usually don't ask for sensitive personal information via email. Spam emails often try to trick you into revealing your personal details.

To protect yourself from spam emails:

  1. Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown senders.
  2. Use strong, unique passwords and keep them confidential.
  3. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible.
  4. Keep your operating system, browser, and antivirus software up to date.
  5. Use a reputable email provider that has robust spam filtering capabilities.
  6. Report spam emails to your email provider or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Remember, if an email seems too good (or bad) to be true, it probably is. Always err on the side of caution and verify the authenticity of the email before taking any action.