It doesn’t take a software to nail down a scammy email
In our last article, we told you how a simple free software can save you from getting scammed on the Internet. We understand that not all of you are comfortable with downloading and installing software on your computers. So here is another easy way of identifying scammy emails and keeping an arm’s length from them.
Let’s begin with this example:
Say you have received an email with a subject line that looks like this on your inbox
Most email service providers have spam filters, which is exactly why you should stay on guard against mails like this. Remember, there are several occasions in which spams have been known to escape the spam filter.
The natural reaction for most of us would be to think: “Hmm… a mail from Discovery Education. Let’s see what they have to say!”. You click on the email and find something that looks like this:
Notice the logo? For most people, the logo legitimizes the communication. So in all probabilities, you are 90% convinced that email is from Discovery Education. That they have something important to tell you. That you are willing to listen, and may be make a purchase or a donation if the email is persuasive enough.
STOP right there! This email COULD be spam, and there is an easy way to find out. Look at the top of the email where you can see all the details, for example, From, To, and Subject.
Next to the “From” field, you will see the sender’s name, “Discovery Education”. Now look around. You will find a link that says “Expand Header” or “Message details” (depending on who your email service provider is). Click on it.
You will see a long string of data that traces the route of the message from the sender to you. It should show a long, complicated series of server names, but all you need to do is to look at the end of that string. The email id, and the server name right at the end is from where the message originates.
Needless to say, the message in the picture above did not come from Discovery Education. It is easy for scammers to use logos and colors that make emails appear to be coming from legitimate sources. It is easy enough for anyone (including you) to make the sender’s name appear like PayPal Support, Discover Education, or The Office of the President of Nicaragua. All you need to do is change the way you would like your sender’s name to appear in your email preferences.
So be careful, remain on the watch, and always take look at the message header of an email that requires you to click on a link.
Here’s another tip: In case you are using GMail, hover your mouse over the sender’s name in a message, and you will see the real email id display in a neat pop up box. Like this:
So, there you go… now downloads, no software to install… just a little bit of awareness. That’s all you need (most of the times) to keep yourself from getting scammed on the Internet.
Asyan:
Interesting post! I was wondering if you might be able to forward me a copy of the Discovery Education scam email you wrote about. We absolutely want to investigate:)
Thanks
Betsy Whalen
Director, Marketing
Discovery Education
Betsy,
I will be most happy to. Might take me a day to track down the email in my spam folder. I hope you don’t mind.
Regards,
Asyan