The sender and the link give the fake away
The displayed name can be chosen freely. What counts is the email address behind it. If the domain does not match the company, be suspicious.
Links work the same way. Move the mouse over a link before you click to see the actual destination. If it differs from the address shown, do not click.
Time pressure and design are part of the trick
- Artificial urgency Phrases such as «Act within 48 hours» are meant to cause panic. Reputable providers do not put you under extreme time pressure.
- Copied design Professional logos and a polished layout can be copied in minutes. They are no proof of authenticity.
Whether an email is genuine shows in its technical details. Its appearance cannot be relied on.
How to deal with a suspicious email
- Do not click Do not open any links and do not download any attachments.
- Log in directly If you are unsure whether a message is genuine, open the official website yourself in your browser.
- Report it Forward the email to your IT support or hosting provider.
- Delete it Then remove the email from your inbox.
Our conclusion
Checking the sender address, the link destination and the tone of an email protects you in most cases. When in doubt, it is better to ask one time too many than one time too few.
