How to Spot an Email or Text Message Scam: the Guide
A text message about a parcel stuck in transit, an email from your "bank" asking for your information, an urgent note from the "government": online scams are everywhere and they keep getting more believable. Knowing how to spot a scam has become an essential skill, at home as much as at work. Here are the signs that give them away.
Quick answer: To spot a scam by email or text message, be wary of messages that create a sense of urgency, ask for your personal or banking information, contain mistakes, or come from a strange sender address. When in doubt, do not click any link and contact the organization directly through its official website.
What is phishing?
Phishing is a type of fraud in which a crook poses as a trusted company or person in order to steal your information: passwords, card numbers, identity. Learning to spot a scam of this kind protects you and the people around you.
1. A sense of urgency or a threat
"Your account will be closed within 24 hours", "Payment declined, act now": fraudsters play on fear to make you move fast, without thinking. A serious organization never puts that kind of pressure on you by message.
2. A request for personal information
No bank, no government and no reputable service will ever ask for your password, your PIN or your full card number by email or text message. A request like that is almost always a scam.
3. A suspicious sender address
Look at the sender’s full address, not just the display name. An odd address, with digits or a domain that has nothing to do with the organization, is a red flag. On a phone, press and hold the name to reveal the real address.
4. Questionable links
Never click a link without checking where it leads. On a computer, hover over the link with your mouse (without clicking) to see the real address at the bottom of the screen. If it does not match the official site, it is a scam.
5. Mistakes and an impersonal tone
Plenty of scams contain spelling mistakes, an awkward translation or a vague greeting such as "Dear customer" instead of your name. Be careful, though: frauds are getting more polished, in particular with artificial intelligence, so the absence of mistakes proves nothing.
6. An offer that is too good to be true
A prize in a lottery you never entered, an unexpected refund, a free gift: if it is too good to be true, it is a scam. These lures exist to make you click or to make you pay "fees".
What should you do if you receive a suspicious message?
- Do not click any link and do not open any attachment.
- Do not reply and do not provide any information.
- Verify through another channel: reach the organization through its official website or phone number.
- Report the message and delete it. In Canada, you can report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
What should you do if you have already clicked?
Do not panic. Change the password of the affected account right away, turn on two-factor authentication, watch your bank statements and notify your financial institution. If it happened on a work device, tell your IT team without delay.
Frequently asked questions
Are text message scams common?
Yes, and they are exploding. Fake parcel delivery notices and fake financial institutions are among the most common. The same warning signs apply as for email.
How can I protect my parents or my employees?
Awareness is the best defence. Explaining the signs, sending regular reminders and, in a company, offering a short training session sharply reduce the risk of getting caught.
Protect yourself, at home and at work
We help individuals and businesses across Quebec protect themselves against fraud and phishing. Contact OKTO Solutions or discover our services.
An article sets out the principle. Putting it in place happens one workstation at a time: our managed cybersecurity service, backup and disaster recovery and our IT services in Montreal.
