Your inbox is not as innocent as it looks.
Email scams are getting trickier. Gone are the days of obvious typos and shady Nigerian princes. Today’s phishing emails are slick, convincing, and dangerous. At Alchemy I.T., we’ve seen firsthand how even tech-savvy folks can get caught off guard by a well-crafted scam. So how do you protect yourself?
Let’s break it down.
What Is a Phishing Email?
A phishing email is designed to trick you into clicking a malicious link, giving away sensitive info, or downloading harmful attachments. The goal is to steal your data, login credentials, or even money—and often, it happens without you realizing it until it’s too late.
Your Scam Spotting Checklist
Here’s how to sniff out a fake email like a pro:
1. Check the Sender’s Name AND Email Address
The name might say “PayPal,” but click into the details and it’s really coming from something like security@paypal-support123.com. Huge red flag.
Pro tip: Microsoft isn’t emailing you from a Hotmail account.
2. Hover Over Links (Don’t Click!)
Hovering shows the real link destination. If the URL looks sketchy, misspelled, or totally unrelated—don’t click it.
Example: A link that says paypal.com but shows up as http://paypall-loginverify.net is a scam with a capital S.
3. Urgent Language = Suspicion
Phishing emails love drama. They’ll say things like:
- “Your account will be deleted in 24 hours!”
- “Your payment failed—click here to fix it now!”
- “Unusual activity detected on your account!”
Scammers want you to panic. That’s when people make fast decisions. Take a breath. Then delete it.
Pros & Cons
4. Look for Spelling & Grammar Errors
Real companies have professional editors. Scam emails? Not so much.
Typos, weird phrasing, or unusual formatting are huge red flags. If you find yourself reading it twice and still going “huh?” — trust your instincts.
5. Unexpected Attachments? Don’t Open Them.
If you get an email with an attachment from someone you don’t know—or weren’t expecting—it’s best to delete it. Especially if it’s a .zip, .exe, or .docm file.
These can carry viruses, ransomware, or other nasty surprises.
6. When in Doubt, Don’t Click
Got an email from your bank asking for your login info?
Your friend suddenly wants you to download a mystery file?
An invoice for something you didn’t buy?
Don’t click. Don’t reply. Don’t engage. Just delete it—or forward it to us, and we’ll let you know if it’s safe.
More Real Examples Coming Soon
We’ll be adding screenshots of real phishing emails (safely redacted, of course) to help you spot the warning signs.
Not Sure If It’s Safe? Ask Us!
No shame in double-checking. These scams are designed to fool people. Even professionals get tricked.
Contact Us – Click Here
or Call: 780-218-5771 or 780-983-6051
At Alchemy I.T., your digital safety is our priority.
Let’s keep your inbox clean and your data protected. Worried you might be infected already? Give us a call!
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