Scams & Schemes

For the past two days we have been learning about online scams and schemes. We have been learning techniques to help us figure out if something is a scam. We have been focusing on phishing emails and recognizing them. 

Seven Features of Phishing Email

• Need to verify account information: Phony emails will try to trick you into giving up account information or passwords, or clicking on a phishing link where you fill out information that identity thieves can collect and use. Usually what they’re asking for doesn’t make sense if you think about it, because they should already have that information!
• Sense of urgency: When the message says you only have a limited time to respond, it is often the sign of a scam.
• Spelling errors: Scam emails often include spelling and grammatical errors. A real company would not send out messages containing such errors.
• Alert that account is in trouble: Identity thieves try to make you worry that something is wrong with your account, so you will feel you must immediately respond to the email to fix it.
• Link in email or attachment: Phishing emails often have a link within the email or an attachment that you are urged to click on. This link can lead you to a site or form where you (unknowingly) give your information to criminals. You should never respond to or click on links in such emails. Instead, go directly to the main website, and from there check your account.
• Too good to be true: Scam emails often offer things that are too good to be true, like the easy chance to win free money or prizes. 
• Generic greeting: You might see a generic greeting that does not personally address you. Reputable companies send emails where they address their customers by name.

In-Class Project

Students are writing their own phishing emails. They are including 4 or more features of a phishing email into their final product. The emails are being posted to our blog and other students are commenting with the features they finding in each other's emails.