Scam Emails
Over the weekend it came to our attention that cybercriminals sent emails from a Gmail account masquerading as Wedgwood Insurance. Known as phishing, these emails are sent by fraudsters trying to trick people into providing personal or financial information.
Be alert for any emails or text messages claiming to be from Wedgwood Insurance – particularly those discussing rebates or appearing to require urgent attention. Furthermore, while we might make the odd typo, we’ll never type in ALL CAPS, have this many spelling and grammatical mistakes, or email from a Gmail account.
If you receive one of these messages, do not click on any links in the message or share personal information. When in doubt call us directly and we’ll confirm the legitimacy of the communication.
The 7 Red Flags of Phishing
Phishing is one of the most common threats you can encounter online. Luckily they can be easy to spot – if you know what you’re looking for. Here are the seven biggest red flags you should check for when you receive an email or text:
1. Urgent or Threatening Language
Real emergencies don’t happen over email. If something is truly a time-sensitive emergency someone will call.
Look out for:
- Pressure to respond quickly
- Threats of closing your account or taking legal action
2. Requests for Sensitive Information
Anyone asking for personal information over email or text probably shouldn’t be trusted with it, anyway.
Look out for:
- Links directing you to login pages
- Requests to update your account information
- Demands for your financial information, even from your bank.
3. Anything Too Good to be True
Winning a lottery is unlikely. Winning a lottery you didn’t enter is impossible!
Look out for:
- Winnings from contests you’ve never entered
- Prizes you have to pay to receive
- Inheritance from long-lost relatives
4. Unexpected Emails
Expect the unexpected, and then send it right to the trash.
Look out for:
- Receipts for items you didn’t purchase
- Updates on deliveries for things you didn’t order
5. Information Mismatches
Searching for clues in phishing emails puts your love of true crime podcasts to good use.
Look out for:
- Incorrect (but maybe similar) sender email addresses
- Links that don’t go to official websites
- Spelling or grammar errors, beyond the odd typo, that a legitimate organization wouldn’t miss
6. Suspicious Attachments
Attachments might seem like gifts for your inbox. But just like real gifts, they’re not always good…
Look out for:
- Attachments you didn’t ask for
- Weird file names
- Uncommon file types
7. Unprofessional Design
For some reason, hiring a graphic designer isn’t on a cybercriminals priority list. Like the example above, emails often include all caps (to pressure an immediate response), bad spelling and grammar, and generic salutations such as ‘The Management’.
Look out for:
- Incorrect or blurry logos
- Company emails with little, poor, or no formatting
- Image-only emails (no highlightable text)
Report Suspected Scam Emails & Texts
Protect yourself against cybercriminals by being aware of the latest cyber scams on the Cyber Awareness section of our blog. Scams can also be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. If you have any questions about a scam email or want to explore cyber liability insurance contact us in the form below and we’ll get in touch with you as soon as we can to answer your questions.
