Kim Randall

How To Spot An Email Scam

by Kim Randall on December 9, 2009

Google Buzz

Scams have always been around. Someone out there is always looking to make a quick buck and unfortunately with the way the economy is there are more gullible individuals out there.

Scammers have been increasingly proactive on email campaigns and my only thought is that some people MUST still be falling for them if I’m still getting them.

So in this post I want to point out what exactly to look for when it comes to your emails and scams.

Here is my Inbox that shows exactly what the message was titled that was sent to my personal email address

apologies in advance for the blurriness

inbox 300x218 How To Spot An Email Scam

*Note the two LEGIT email advertisements that I actually have willing subscribed to.*

When the email was opened this is what it looked like

scam 300x300 How To Spot An Email Scam

*Take note of WHO sent me the email. It wasn’t notification@honorsociety.com; it was from notification_F9QebbR@rcf3airfailrail.com*

By Googling the entire email address I came up with no results so I tried searching airfailrail.com and got nothing. I tried googling simply airfailrail with still NO results.

Tip #1 If you can’t find the company Online, don’t trust it

OK so here is the email that I received that is 100% legit and I know that I subscribed to the emails

wm1 300x196 How To Spot An Email Scam


Note where the email came from.

newsletter@walmart.com

To have an @walmart.com email address you must be GIVEN the email or own that particular domain.

wm3 300x148 How To Spot An Email Scam


Note that they explain the security and privacy policy.

They state “Walmart protects your security and privacy. We will never ask for personal information (such as passwords or credit card numbers) in an email newsletter. If you receive such a request, please do not respond to the email. Learn more. See our Privacy Policy.”

Be very careful with any advertisements coming from gmail, yahoo, AOL or other type email accounts unless you have personally requested to be added to a list.

Follow me on Twitter: @_KimRandall

Let’s Connect on Facebook

Kim Randall Social Media Strategist

Store envy

PG
Social Media Strategist & Interwebs Addict, Blogger, St. Louis Cardinals fan, Twitterholic, Second Life Resident (Sadie Pippita), Chihuahua owner and an all around GEEK!

Kim has 195 awesome posts.

Related posts:

  1. Networking Online To Stay Safe IRL
  2. Steps To Protect Yourself In This Work-At-Home Era

Leave a Comment

CommentLuv Enabled

Previous post:

Next post: